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SBTWelcome
W E LCO M E
Welcome to a busy first issue of 2022.
This year has certainly got off to a flying start for us at SBT and County Business Clubs. Throughout January we have been
delighted to announce our amazing NEW media partnerships with Best of British Events, Acumen Business Convention,
Freedom Works, Sussex Chamber of Commerce and there are still more to come.
weeks.In addition, we have our first member meet-up in
collaboration with Freedom Works and our collaborative community continues to grow.
I know the dreaded C word is still looming but, speaking with businesses, there is certainly an air of optimism around that
This month we had great pleasure in interviewing County
Business Clubs’ latest Value Added Partners, Seico and Starr Trust. We chat to the inspirational Rob Starr for this month’s cover feature. In this job, I have the privilege of talking with
many business owners and entrepreneurs and can honestly
say Rob is one of the most inspiring, incredible human beings I have had the honour of meeting and cannot wait to support him throughout this year on his amazing 52 x 52 challenge.
County Business Clubs have some exciting announcements to come as we look to launch our new app over the coming
2022 will be a positive bounce back year…
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 we look forward to a positive and prosperous new year. I hope you enjoy the issue, Sam Thomas, Managing Director
VALUE ADDED PARTNERS
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 3
Issue 452
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WE TALK TO INSPIRATIONAL LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER, ROB STARR, ABOUT HIS YEAR-LONG OLYMPIC DISTANCE TRIATHLON CHALLENGE www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 1
SERVI NG T H E SUSSEX B USI N ESS C OM MUN ITY SI NC E 1975
Cover 452
Joint Managing Director/Publisher Sam Thomas sam@thebusinessgroup.co.uk 07894 762304 Joint Managing Director Lee Mansfield lee@lifemediagroup.co.uk Production & Design Kim Butler kim@lifemediagroup.co.uk Accounts Clare Fermor clare@lifemediagroup.co.uk Published by The Business Group Sussex Ltd. Licenced to TBG by Pixel Publications Ltd Unit 1a Swan Barn Business Centre, Swan Barn Road, Hailsham, BN27 2BY Printed by Gemini Print Group 1A Dolphin Way Shoreham-by-Sea West Sussex BN43 6NZ 01273 464884 www.gemini-print.co.uk
All material in this publication is strictly copyright and all rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The views expressed in Sussex Business Times Magazine do not necessarily represent the view of 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
A Tribute to Nik Askaroff
09
Monthly News
15
SBT Legal
23
SBT Property
27
SBT Cover Feature
34
SBT Start Ups & Entrepreneurs
41
SBT Good Business
45
County Business Clubs Special
51
SBT Tech
55
SBT Charity
59
SBT People Management & Recruitment
63
SBT Motor News
69
SBT Networking & Events
77
Chamber News
83
SBT Sport
91
SBT Ask the Expert
A Sussex Giant with a global influence
A roundup of New from across the County
We hear from Mayo Wynne Baxter, 365 Employment Law and Britton & Time Solicitors
Property market conditions, what’s in store for 2022?
We talk to inspirational local business owner, Rob Starr, about his year-long Olympic distance triathlon challenge
Funding, Finance and Finding a Start-up Cash Injection
Lacking confidence in your pricing?
County Business TALKS with Noel Preston – Plus CBC Wine of the Month
How did Extech Cloud become the home of Hybrid Working?
Rockinghorse Childrens Charity ask supporters to make this New Year a happy one
What’s new in employment law this year
Revealed UK drivers caught speeding every 5 mins - Rivervale
Jackie’s Networking Adventures talks Collaborations Why Networking is like the Gym
We hear from Sussex Chamber about New Partnership & Brighton Chamber Member Julia Alcamo
Laurence Elphick Sports round up from across the County and much more…
How process documentation creates a high performing business The power of listening skills
A tribute to
Nik Askaroff 1956-2021
A Sussex giant with a global influence
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 5
A TRI B UT E TO N I K ASKA R O F F
Nik Askaroff - a Sussex giant with a global influence
Nik Askaroff had that rare ability to analyse a complex issue that had left a Boardroom scratching its head and – within seconds – find a solution. He could look at a set of financial results and instantly identify the weaknesses that needed to be urgently addressed.
Nik the business leader and founder of EMC Nik had self-belief built into his DNA
and a determination to succeed where others had failed.
Being the son of immigrant parents in
the 1950’s, Nik inherited that steely spirit to survive and thrive. His father, Igor,
had escaped a post-revolution Russia, travelling thousands of miles, hidden
with his mother in the coal bunker on a steam train with nothing to their name except ambition.
They made a new life in Paris, then
Vienna and onto England. Nik was the second of six sons.
He was a quality rugby player and
competed at county and national U21
level. But he particularly loved playing alongside his mates at Eastbourne
Rugby Football Club matches. Nik, and
6 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
Along with numerous other accolades, including Young Accountant of the Year, Nik was awarded Dealmaker of the Year three year in a row for his corporate finance skills honed leading over a thousand deals during his illustrious career his wonderful smile, are still on the walls in the club house.
This laid the foundations to succeed later in life and sport remained a passion right
until the end, when he suffered a sudden
cardiac arrest on a golf course in Thailand
on Christmas Eve 2021, playing alongside his long term partner, whom he loved.
Nik qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1980, but quickly decided that there must be more to life than auditing, financial
investigations and tax. He started working in the family fashion textile company,
where he soon learnt that, despite the
grand title of financial director, he had to
be involved in selling, exhibitions, packing cartons and even cutting material.
At just 30, his relish for the commercial
side of the business won him the award
of Accountant of the Year in 1986. A year later he took up the position of managing director of the UK arm of
a 600-store retail fashion group prior to forming Eastbourne Management Consultants Limited - subsequently renamed EMC – in 1989.
Nik was one of the highest profile
businessmen in the South East, with
extensive experience of running companies of all sizes in numerous sectors.
He was the leading Corporate Financier in the South East having won the
prestigious ‘Dealmaker of the Year’ title three times. In November 2021 he led his EMC team to win the accolade of
Corporate Finance Team of the Year. He has completed hundreds of corporate transactions personally and acted on
some of the highest profile deals in the
A T R I BUT E TO N I K ASKA RO FF Region. His financial know-how and
clinical deal-making has helped create over 250 millionaires – he took more
pleasure enriching others than himself, a rare quality in today’s world.
A former President of the South Eastern Society of Chartered Accountants, past
Chairman of both Business Link Sussex and Sussex Enterprise (the Chamber of Commerce for Sussex) as well as
chairing the South East Proof of Concept Fund and the innovation and growth
team, Nik was also one of the greatest
ambassadors for Sussex businesses and doing business in Sussex.
During his career, Nik held over 50 board
positions and used his business acumen to guide entrepreneurs, business owners and management teams in numerous sectors. And although Nik made a significant
impact in Sussex and the South East, his sphere of influence extended around the
world, particularly in the emerging markets of China, Russia and India as well as the USA and most European countries.
His sector experience covered healthcare, media and marketing, food, electronics and retail. But in particular, he was
passionate about UK manufacturing and
UK entrepreneurism and sat on numerous panels advising current and former prime ministers to promote the ‘Best of British’. Despite his love of commerce, Nik’s true
passion was his family. He always put his
family first and resisted the bright lights of London to stay on the south coast, which he believed was a better environment for his four children to grow up in.
Running his own businesses and living
close to home gave him the flexibility to
attend most of the important family events, including making very vocal contributions from the side-lines as he followed his
encourage and promote those around him to live up to their potential.
Nik’s legacies are his thriving business, which is left in the most capable of
hands, and – most importantly – his
children and eight grandchildren who
saw him not only as a father and ‘papa’ (he thought grandad made him sound too old!) but also as a best friend and mentor. He will be missed every day.
Tributes for Nik Askaroff, January 5, 2022
Michael Pay, Michael Gibbs and Ryan
children around the counties playing sport.
Smith, EMC
Nik also sat as a governor of his
news of the passing of Nik Askaroff, EMC’s
and in 2006 played an instrumental part
a sudden cardiac arrest whilst travelling in
It is with deepest sadness that we share
children’s secondary school in Hailsham
founder and Chief Executive. Nik suffered
in coordinating the fundraising to ensure
the Far East over the Christmas period.
lottery grant to build the extensive
Nik spent over 30 years of his working
the school received a million-pound sports hall and astro-turf.
life building EMC to become the leading
Nik’s far-reaching charitable and pro-bono
advisory firm in the South East and the
but the work was enough to fill several
that his legacy is built upon.
have been on the receiving end will know
Our hearts go out to Nik’s loved ones
very special man who worked tirelessly to
in your thoughts.
work has never been fully recognised,
lifetimes. Those many thousands who
in their hearts that the world has lost a
corporate finance house and business
well placed succession plans will ensure
at this difficult time. Please keep them
Although watching sport was anjoyable Nik loved to get involved On an EMC sailing day
Nik loved to travel, surrounded by family and friends
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 7
A TRI B UT E TO N I K ASKA R O F F
Throughout his life Nik enjoyed the competitive nature of sport and was proud to support both Sussex County Cricket Club and Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club
With Tony Bloom, BHAFC, Chariman Ian Fletcher-Price, Founder & CEO, Posturite Ltd
There are not many people you meet that
change your life. Nik has shaped mine for
the last 20 years and in that time together we have grown Posturite from £5m to £30m and employed 250 staff in the
process. But that is only half the story. He was fiercely loyal and always
generous with his time, wisdom and
advice. I have witnessed at first hand his expertise with so many local
businesses, each and every one of them as important to him as any other.
Despite Nik’s intellect he never looked
down on you and patiently guided you
along the way at your pace. These rare qualities combined to make him an
outstanding human being who will be missed in so many ways by so many
people. I feel lucky to have counted Nik as my best friend and mentor and will
strive to make the best use of the skills he taught me in the future, in honour to him. Jon Mitchell, owner/director of Eastbourne Car Auctions
I knew Nik for many years both as a
friend and business mentor. Nik was at the centre of everything we did
and nothing was too much trouble
for those he cared about. If you were
struggling with a problem, a quick call to Nik would usually point you in the
right direction. I will miss his support for my business, but most of all as a true and trusted friend.
8 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
Tim and Sue Cobb, Cobb PR
all sorts of ways and will be sadly missed.
the Sussex business community. He
David Bosley, retired
happy to help.
colleagues for more than 45 years, initially
We got to know Nik when he joined Sussex
Eastbourne. He was a very fine back-row
2002. Nik’s commercial knowledge and
21 and senior level. He could easily have
choice to ultimately take over as chairman
camaraderie of the Eastbourne club for
Nik was tall in stature and a giant in
was generous with his time and always
Nik and I have been friends and work
from our years together playing rugby in
Enterprise as a non-executive director in
forward, representing the county at Under
business acumen meant he was the perfect
played at a higher grade but enjoyed the
of the business support group.
which he first played when he was still at
Nik became chairman of Cobb PR in
the local grammar school.
2007 and helped bring strong financial
Our paths diverged for a while, but
to our company. He was our “go-to”
his management consultancy, EMC,
management and great business acumen
came back together when he formed
person for any challenges we encountered.
in Eastbourne in 1989. I was, by then,
We could always rely on his honesty and
became Nik’s first client. He acted as our
our best interests at heart.
13 years, expertly guiding and supporting
Nik was kind and loyal to us and we
helped us to sell the business in 2003.
objectivity in the knowledge that he had
director of a PR company in Kent and we advisor and business mentor for the next us through good times and bad, until he
will miss him.
Since then I continued to work with Nik
Christina Ewbank, chief executive,
until my retirement in 2020.
Eastbourne & District Chamber of
and the EMC team as their PR advisor
Commerce
Scores of business leaders and
the Eastbourne Chamber board and was
have been grateful to Nik and the team
insight. He told me that businesses like
have given them over the last 32 years.
their local Chambers of Commerce for the
he had not only built EMC to become the
I met Nik Askarof back when I first joined
entrepreneurs in the South East will
impressed by his understanding and
at EMC for the support and advice they
his had a responsibility to join and support
He was immensely proud of the fact that
good of the whole community.
region’s leading corporate finance and
Since then he has supported the Sussex
so, helped countless business owners to
business community behind the scenes in
business management team but, in doing achieve success. He will be sorely missed.
SBT MONTHLY NEWS
SBT MONTHLY NEWS SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 9
Mayo Wynne Baxter joins Ampa to support expansion plans Leading Sussex law firm Mayo Wynne Baxter has joined national legal and professional services group Ampa to enhance its ambitious plans for growth. Mayo Wynne Baxter,
Monthly News
founded more
than 150 years
ago in Lewes, will
continue to operate
as a separate LLP retaining its brand and growing its market position as it
continues to deliver legal services for businesses, people and their families throughout the South East.
No money will be exchanged as part of the merger and the firm’s equity
10 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
partners will merge into Ampa’s
membership. Mayo Wynne Baxter’s
move to join Ampa is part of a wider
strategy shared by the businesses for growth, collaboration and combined
infrastructure, as well as shared values supporting clients and the community. Joining the group will enable Mayo
Wynne Baxter to increase its service
offering for clients, tapping into more than 900 experts across the group
of brands and Ampa’s group London
hub. The group is proactively looking to recruit talented people and teams
across the region and no redundancies are planned.
Dean Orgill, Chief Executive Partner at Mayo Wynne Baxter, said: “A merger with Ampa, which shares our values, will enable us to do even more to
support our clients, people and our
local community. It’s an exciting time
in our firm’s evolution, which will build on its historic foundations.
MON T H LY N E WS
Copyright of Ursula Kelly 2019
Dean Orgill
“We are recruiting proactively across
Sussex, Surrey and Kent to grow the
business and deliver more opportunities for jobs as well as internal career
progression. Being part of the Ampa
group enables us to increase the pace of this programme.”
Joining the likes of full-service Midlands
and London-based law firm Shakespeare Martineau and planning consultancy
Marrons Planning, Mayo Wynne Baxter
will become the regional anchor brand for Ampa in the South East.
Mayo Wynne Baxter’s personal injury
and clinical negligence teams will join Ampa’s existing national consumer-
focussed law brand Lime Solicitors,
with full continuity of service for clients,
adding around £1.2m additional turnover to Lime Solicitors.
Dean Orgill will sit on the Ampa group
board while also working with the firm’s partners to steer the growth of Mayo Wynne Baxter as a regional anchor brand for the group.
Sarah Walker-Smith, Group CEO at
Sarah Walker-Smith
Ampa, said: “Clients and people across our sector are crying out for change
and transformation. It’s time to consider the agile needs of clients more broadly and step away from the traditional
consolidation model; Ampa does just that. “A key benefit of our group is shared
access to greater support for the benefit of our clients, whether that be from
other legal professionals across different brands, or our combined business
operations capabilities alongside greater career development opportunities for our people. Through greater buying
power and significant opportunities to
collaborate on projects, we will deliver enhanced benefit for our people and clients, in life and business.
“Each brand in our group is empowered to deliver on its growth ambitions and
retaining autonomy whilst collaborating
with each other when it makes sense to do so for the greater good.
“Mayo Wynne Baxter has a unique
geography, local market affinity, excellent
why it is so important that it maintains its brand and market positions. It has been great to meet and now go into
partnership with a similarly progressive
business and like-minded people to help us drive the Ampa vision.”
Ampa, which has pending B
Corporation status, also includes
cyber security company CSS Assure and uninsured loss recovery experts Corclaim as well as Shakespeare
Martineau, Marrons Planning and its consumer brand Lime Solicitors. All Ampa brands are recruiting lateral hires and teams, and the group is
proactively looking for like-minded businesses to join the group.
Mayo Wynne Baxter has started its
transition to the group and its equity
partners will officially become members of Ampa from 1 May 2022.
The merger will take Ampa to a turnover above £100m for 2022/23 and a group
of more than 1,100 people immediately.
client relationships, strong employer
brand and a great reputation – which is
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 11
MO NT H LY N E WS
Paul Scrivens promoted to Chief Executive at The LoveLocalJobs Foundation C.I.C. The appointment sees Paul move from his former role as Commercial Director to Chief Executive to ensure the ongoing sustainability, growth and success of The LoveLocalJobs Foundation C.I.C. Monthly News
Paul Scrivens has
Paul. “I feel incredibly grateful to be
to the position of
and team of people into the next phase
The LoveLocalJobs
process of registering as a charity.”
been promoted
guiding such a wonderful organisation
Chief Executive of
of our development as we begin the
Foundation C.I.C. beginning a role that will see him support the Chairman and
“We’ve overcome significant challenges
Foundation’s day-to-day business plan
years. I’m excited for the next chapter in
the Board of Trustees in delivering the
and achieved a huge amount in recent
and strategy.
our journey as we aim to help as many
The promotion comes as recognition of
of their barriers, to realise their potential
young people as possible, irrespective
the outstanding commitment, resilience
and to achieve amazing things.”
during his 4 years with LoveLocalJobs.
Paul’s promotion comes at an
and professionalism Paul has shown In that time, he has taken the
organisation from strength-to-strength, in particular, doing a phenomenal job during an incredibly difficult last 24 months for businesses.
The new role will see Paul continue to lead the Foundation’s award-winning
team, who are committed to delivering creative, inspiring, and much-needed
programmes to students with the aim
of raising their aspirations and reaching their full potential.
In 2021 alone, the Foundation has
delivered 33 programmes to almost 5,000 students across Sussex. The delivery
of the programmes in 2021 was made
possible through the support of over 140
mentors from a number of incredible local businesses, who all helped inspire and guide the next generation at a pivotal
incredibly important stage in The
LoveLocalJobs Foundation C.I.C’s
one, over-delivered on every single
working towards becoming a charity,
a phenomenal team around him.
will be instrumental in raising the
“Paul is undoubtedly the right person to
fundraising capabilities, and ensuring
right behind him all the way.”
at the core of everything it does.
Who is The LoveLocalJobs
Under Paul’s leadership, The
The LoveLocalJobs Foundation
development. With the Foundation
his experience and leadership skills Foundation’s profile, developing its
its vision, mission, and values remain
LoveLocalJobs Foundation C.I.C. will look to build on its success of recent years in supporting and inspiring
students across the South East, as
well as collaborate better with other
fantastic charities, groups and partner organisations seeking to make a real difference in the local community. “I am incredibly proud of what
stage in their lives.
Paul has achieved in his time with
“I’m truly honoured to take on
Founder and Chairman of The
the role of Chief Executive at The
LoveLocalJobs Foundation C.I.C.,” said
12 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
Paul Scrivens
LoveLocalJobs,” said Gary Peters, LoveLocalJobs Foundation C.I.C. “He has led from the very front since day
one of our expectations and has built
take us to the next level and I’ll be there
Foundation C.I.C.?
C.I.C. is an award-winning team of
amazing people that proactively links employers, universities, colleges,
schools, community groups, charities, local authorities and other public
sector organisations to provide much-
needed careers information, advice, and inspiration for the next generations in our communities.
Winners of Euro City Awards | National Online Recruitment Awards | Sussex
Business Awards | Gatwick Diamond Business Awards | Brighton & Hove Business Awards
MON T H LY N E WS
Senior Account Manager from Identity is one of the UK’s top ‘30 under Thirty’ A young event professional from Eastbourne has achieved national recognition as one of the industry’s most talented rising stars. Amber Rose, 29
Monthly News
was recognised at
the ‘30underThirty’ awards following her nomination
by colleagues at Identity, Europe’s
fastest growing events agency with its HQ in Eastbourne.
The national award celebrates the
most innovative, impactful and creative
people in the live events industry under the age of 30.
Amber said: “I’m thrilled to feature within the 30UnderThirty programme. It is a huge achievement to be recognised
amongst so many talented individuals.
I joined Identity over two years ago and I’ve learnt so much since then. We’ve delivered some remarkable projects
for amazing clients such as the Royal
Air Force, Panasonic, Unilever and, of
course, COP26 in Glasgow. I can’t wait to see what 2022 will bring.”
Prior to joining Identity, Amber studied at Reading University and worked for Eastbourne Borough Council and St
Amber Rose
Wilfrid’s Hospice. She is now a senior
account manager at Identity and looks after some of the agency’s key clients, including the Royal Air Force.
Identity’s Commercial Director,
Rebecca McCreath said: “We all want to say a massive congratulations to Amber. Everyone at Identity is incredibly proud of Amber’s
achievements. She is an extremely
valued member of the team and as popular with her clients as she is
with her colleagues. This award is
highest honour available to a UK business.
to see her hard work being recognised
central London, Identity boasts some of
thoroughly deserved and it’s wonderful
With its HQ in Sussex and a new office in
in this way.”
the sector’s most experienced and highly
Identity’s work has been in continuous
creative professionals.
demand across the private and public
Identity is actively recruiting for a number
continuous rising stars in the events sector
including account management, HR
the agency received a Queen’s Award
identitygroup.co.uk/vacancies/
sectors, making it one of the few
of key roles, in various departments
– even amidst the pandemic. In 2020
and production. Visit https://careers.
for Enterprise in International Trade, the
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 13
MO NT H LY N E WS
Streamlining efficiency - the benefits of outsourcing mail solutions for your business As businesses
Monthly News
continue to recover
from the pandemic, it is projected that
SMEs will have lost
an estimated £126.6 billion. Digital print security firm Zunoma is encouraging
businesses to outsource mail solutions, to help save money and to focus on increasing productivity.
In the UK, 70% of companies outsource services to third parties, and as
companies continue to adapt to new
ways of working, 30% of businesses say
they plan to outsource more in the future. There are multiple benefits of
outsourcing mail solutions, with cost savings being the biggest motivator for many companies. Not only can
businesses save on paper fees, postal
costs and storage costs, but it can also reduce a business’s admin overheads.
Zunoma state that outsourcing can save a business up to 50% compared to
traditional mailing methods, inclusive of all print, consumables and postage. Another benefit of outsourcing mail
solutions is an increase in efficiency
and productivity internally. The process can be very manual for businesses
and place pressure on internal teams, resulting in potential errors and late
delivery. Zunoma will cross reference all addresses against current databases,
not only saving businesses a significant amount of time but also ensuring that mail is not sent out unnecessarily to
those who no longer wish to receive it. In addition, outsourcing reduces storage space. With one in four businesses
allowing staff to continue working from
home or work a hybrid approach following the pandemic, many employees have
14 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
less access to an office. Outsourcing
45,000 employees operating in over
to become paperless and help reach
its payroll duties to Zunoma and has
physical storage requirements, a more
portal-based ordering system to manage
working from a home office.
to this day. This outsourcing mail
Phil Ouzman, Managing Director at
in reduction on resource costs for
solutions is a secure, cost-effective
approximately 60,000 payslips from 1
mail solutions not only allows a business
140 countries and markets, outsourced
sustainability goals, but also will lower
continued to use the secure online
beneficial approach with many now
the firm’s HR and finance administration solution resulted in a saving of £55,000
Zunoma, says: “Outsourcing mail
the firm and created lead times for
choice for businesses, with many
week to 1.2 days of work.
delivered more efficient results.
Zunoma is flexible to accommodate the
“As experts in print and distribution, we
a bespoke print and personalisation
and delivering a personal service. Our aim
with several FTSE 100 companies and
eradicate lengthy manual mail handling.
complete distribution service, giving
a bespoke and thorough approval service
securely and on time.
with no unexpected costs.”
To find out more about Zunoma’s
As a registered Royal Mail Mailing House,
https://www.zunoma.com/security-
in this market. This position enables
fulfillment-mailing-solutions/
companies noting that outsourcing has
changing needs of a business and offer
have a reputation for accuracy, reliability,
of mailing services. Zunoma work
is to improve your mail delivery cycle and
worldwide organisations to provide a
Our team will provide your business with
confidence that documents will be sent
and ensure accurate, high-quality results,
Zunoma is at the forefront of new products Zunoma to constantly review the best
possible savings available to customers, to ensure maximum postal savings.
In 2009, a global consulting firm with
outsourcing solutions, please visit: print-software/personalisation-
SBT
LEGA L
LEGAL
THE STRANGE OBSESSION WITH SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENTS BY MAYO WYNNE BAXTER
BRITTON AND TIME ANNOUNCE THE OPENING OF A NEW OFFICE IN MAYFAIR, LONDON
EMPLOYMENT LAW: WHAT WILL THE TOP ISSUES BE IN 2022? BY ALEX JONES, MANAGING DIRECTOR, 365 EMPLOYMENT LAW
SBT LEGAL SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 15
Quietly Self-Harming: The Strange Obsession With Shareholders Agreements By James O’Connell, Partner, Mayo Wynne Baxter Solicitors Shareholder
Legal
agreements (‘SAs’) are one of those
legal documents,
like NDAs, that most
businesspeople have heard of - and take for granted that they should be using. However, as ever with the law, each case must be treated as unique. If I
had a Bitcoin for every business owner whom I’ve talked out of self-harming with an SA, I’d be writing this article
from the Caribbean. Sadly, as I’ve only
ever received the proverbial penny, I’m writing from Brighton.
16 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
Firstly though, a quick reprise.
Companies are mostly run by their directors acting collectively - the
board. However, the law says that
ultimate control of a company lies with the owners: the shareholders. The
key word here is “ultimate”, since the law gives directors a lot of strategic
advantages over shareholders, such
that shareholders can often have the
devil’s own time in trying to assert their authority. But because of that ultimate control, SAs are perennially popular.
SAs in their purest form are agreements between shareholders on how to wield
their authority. SAs usually require
collective shareholder agreement before decisions can be taken on important
things like voting rights; pre-emption rights (who gets first dibs when a
shareholder wants to sell, or where new shares are to be issued); seats on the board, senior salaries; taking/making loans over a certain size; etc., etc.
Often the topics covered stray into
matters that are really for the board to
decide, or which should be governed by the company’s Articles of Association. But as the major shareholders usually
constitute the board, it still works - and
LEGA L which is hostage to shareholders’
differing goals, priorities, and levels
of commitment. Too often companies
start as egalitarian kibbutz: shoulder to shoulder to build something exciting –
it’s when the money finally appears that the cracks usually begin to show!
So, majority owners really do need to ask whether it’s a good idea to
voluntarily give a right of veto over their business to perhaps a huddle of semiengaged shareholders each owning single digit percentages.
I’ve referred to “pure form” SAs
because frequently SAs become more: a dumping ground for other matters
James O’Connell
which need to be recorded in writing: employment terms in particular. This
is usually a bad idea. The employment provisions tend to be half-baked, and may corrosively blur the distinction
between shareholder, employee and
director (the latter being an office as well as potentially an employment role). Also, an individual’s employment terms will
forever be on view to other shareholders
- and changing those terms can become a nightmare, possibly requiring the
involvement of shareholders who should have no input at all. getting the company to sign the SA too ties the board’s hands anyway.
SAs are also often home for terms
I often advise business owners to
agreement (‘SPA’). SPAs set out the
expectations. SAs to many have the
new or existing shares. As with
power of the majority shareholder -
have a strong desire to lump everything
down by the Lilliputians.
convenience, but also to save money
Doing this is often a mistake from the
usually cheaper than drafting various
especially those requiring unanimous
in the short term anyway...).
be done, can effectively give minor
The main disadvantage of folding an
the majority owner - a level of power
it is half-baked. Too often lawyers are
that should be in a share purchase
avoid an SA because of shareholder
terms under which somebody purchases
primary purpose of emasculating the
employment terms, the parties usually
Gulliver voluntarily agreeing to be tied
into a single agreement - partly out of
majority owner’s perspective. SAs,
shareholder consent before things can
(since drafting one longer agreement is stand-alone agreements - well, cheaper
shareholders the same right of veto as
SPA into an SA is again the risk that
which is usually not justifiable, and
instructed to draft an agreement which
is comprehensive, whilst at the same
time being not too long, detailed, offputting, legalistic or too complex.
This is a circle that can only be squared in fantasyland. In practice, almost
invariably optimism wins out and clients opt for ‘quick and dirty’ over ‘belt
and braces’ (thus ensuring a steady
stream of work in later years for dispute resolution lawyers).
Another reason it can be a bad idea to mix in employment provisions,
share purchase terms, etc. is that
SAs are meant to be standard – each
shareholder signs the same document,
with future shareholders also agreeing to be bound by it. That can be most tricky if your SAs have been personalised.
In summary, if you are not the majority shareholder then almost invariably an
SA is to your advantage. It may still be worthwhile even if you are the majority shareholder – but just don’t assume
that voluntarily “doing a Sampson” is
automatically going to be a good thing for you personally.
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 17
L EGAL
Britton and Time Solicitors announce the opening of a new office in Mayfair, London
Our friends at the award-winning multi-legal law firm Britton and Time Solicitors have announced the opening of a new London office this quarter.
This daring move
Legal
marks their second anniversary and responds to a
growing demand for
solicitors in the Big Smoke.
The firm, founded in Brighton and
Hove, has enjoyed rapid expansion
since opening in 2020. Director Paul
Britton, whose legal career started in
London, is thrilled to be increasing the
firm’s reach and into one of his favourite cities: “Opening an office in London is
particularly special to me. I first moved to Marylebone in 2002. It’s where I
spent every free moment. Being in and
18 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
around the city was always exciting, the people, the ideas, the hustle, and the
bustle. I want our growing team to have that experience too.”
As any solicitor knows, real evidence
is key. The fact is Paul has paid close
attention to the London market during the pandemic, he told us, “With BBC News, The Financial Times, Law
Gazette, and many more recently
reporting on the lack of candidates
available for roles, we’re excited to be
bringing our team to London. The need is there. Mayfair will become the firm’s
second home. It represents the strategic expansion of Britton and Time.”
The new office officially opens on 7th February 2022. Just moments from
Hyde Park and London’s prestigious Ritz Hotel, Britton and Time’s London office
is on a tree-lined street in a picturesque classic Edwardian building, boasting elegant meeting rooms for client
consultations and a relaxed members lounge perfect for visiting guests. If you’ve had the pleasure of
visiting their Brighton and Hove
headquarters, you’ll know they favour chic surroundings and appreciate the lengths they go to ensure a
360-service experience for clients.
It’s how they became an ‘in demand
LEGA L
firm’ during the pandemic, going from strength to strength.
By staying open whilst others chose to continue working from home and
upholding the administration of justice, Paul and his team safely welcomed
clients old and new with their award-
winning can-do approach and face to face consultations.
Britton and Time recognise complex
legal cases require relationship building, comfort and connection. Elisabeth
Squires, Head of Private Client, said,
“Seeing someone in person makes our
service personal. We like to read clients, and we like to connect with them.”
“Clients feel valued when they hear that we remained open and were offering permitted legal services in line with
COVID-19 guidelines as set by The Law
Society, unlike many of our competitors. This ensured that our level of service and commitment to clients did not
falter. Despite life seemingly stopping for many, we saw a large increase in
people looking for legal services. Many people found we were one of the only firms in the area willing and able to
accommodate them. We’re taking that same level of service, resilience and determination to London.”
Head of Communications Ellie Talebian added, “What we’ve found during the
pandemic is that whilst Zoom has
“This year, our people matter
to stay connected, clients want to
community relationships will take
consultations. Every client is offered
that service is afforded to everyone, be
been a brilliant tool for businesses
most. Strengthening our client and
come in and meet the team for their
priority. We’re a service led firm, and
an in-person face to face consultation
it employee or client.”
the latter. Zoom cannot replace what it
As the latest paralegal for the firm
important documents or offering
ambitious, determined to grow, and
dealing with some of the most crucial
be capable of doing so. Our London
a connection. Opening in London is
incredible achievements.”
market and our clients, and it allows
Paul has been described by his colleagues
best and provide clients with an
no-nonsense approach and passion for
or Zoom call. Less than 10% take up
means to sit with someone assessing
Leonardo Bosco said, “Our firm is
comfort in times of distress. We’re
has consistently demonstrated to
moments in people’s lives that require
office will be the latest in a series of
a direct response to the needs of the Britton and Time to do what we do
as a tactical genius, and his relentless,
award-winning and essential service
growth make him unstoppable.
that best represents their wishes.”
With offices in London, Brighton and
The firm’s growth allows its Director
Hove, and an enviable entrepreneurial
of the Brighton and Hove offices to his
himself one to watch in 2022.
is as much about doing what’s best for
Whether you require legal services in
colleagues to showcase their talents,
Solicitors are available to work on your
professional skill set in a leading global
info@brittontime.com with a few details
Paul Britton to hand the responsibility
entrusted senior team. Paul said, “this
spirit, Paul Britton once again makes
our clients as it is about allowing my
Brighton or London, Britton and Time
challenge themselves and grow their
matter. Call 0203 007 55 00 or email
legal market.”
of your matter, and the team will provide
2022 will be yet another year of
brittontime.com for more information.
a same day response. Visit www.
development for the firm, with
exciting new hires, partnerships, and a real commitment to accelerate and
modernise the perception of solicitors.
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 19
Employment Law: What will the top issues be in 2022? Whilst a number of ongoing COVID-19 issues are lessening as we start 2022, employers will need to have in mind how we transition back to a normal and hybrid workplace as the year progresses. Employers who
Legal
accept that the workplace is
transitioning, and who focus on the
challenges and opportunities, will be much better placed than those that
immediately insist on a pre-pandemic
return to a fully office-based workforce. In this and next month’s article for SBT, I focus on the top 10 issues that I see
will most affect employers in the coming year, this month and next month:
20 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
1. Covid and a return to the workplace
at risk from covid, how they will assess
longer requesting people work from home.
in a position to replace staff who leave
the past few months, and the return to
come back to the workplace. On that last
Employers should be very careful about
between vacancies and applicants has
Covid is still an issue. Employers should
routinely demand flexible and hybrid
The government has indicated that it is no
the risk, and whether or not they are
This has not been a legal requirement in
because of stringent requirements to
the office is not a legal requirement either.
point, in many industries, the balance
a wholesale return to the workplace.
shifted dramatically, and employees
be mindful of collective and individual
working as a matter of course.
limited to, contractual variations moving
2. Working from home
employment issues including, but not
people from home, staff who might be
After nearly two years of on and off
LEGA L
in that regard, they should always inform staff they will do so (usually via a
relevant policy), and keep the monitoring proportionate
and reasonable. Employees
expectation of privacy will be even higher when they are
home based in whole or part.
It also goes without saying that
employees should be allocated appropriate devices for home working, and should not use
their own computer or mobile phone. If they do, it becomes Alex Jones
3. Flexible working and discrimination
much harder for any monitoring to occur reasonably.
5. Safety and Prevention
As recently as 3 or 4 years ago,
There is often an assumption that
almost always associated with
enjoy a safe working environment. This
an employee having a disability.
have staff working at home, should be
working is theoretically open to all
employee’s life that may affect them,
for most employees to argue it was
being criticised. Employers should
employers failure to understand the
for all employees to discuss any such
now be home-based either in whole or
a process rather than a right for it to
warning signs for problems such as
home for any part of their employment,
other discrimination rights, often led
differences with office work, the
working requests, and exposing
any issues involving staff outside the
with the employee who is not close,
A compliance with the process can still
proactive advice in how to deal with
position is that they should act like the
more pronounced with hybrid working
flexible working requests were
employees working from home will
working parents, or connected with
may not be the case. Employers who
Whilst the right to request flexible
mindful of any personal issues in an
after a short period, it was difficult
and also may lead to the employer
necessary. This combined with most
have confidential avenues available
home working, many employees will
right to make the request (which is
difficulties, but also be alert to the
part. If an employee is working from
be granted), and how it overlaps with
domestic abuse.
employers need to be aware of the
to employers routinely refusing flexible
Employers should always be alert to
obligations they owe, how they can deal
themselves to a discrimination claim.
traditional workplace, and always take
and keep on top of issues. The simple
lead to a claim in other areas. That is
these issues.
employee is in the workplace, which
and staff wanting to be homebased.
By Alex Jones, Managing Director,
rest breaks, only monitoring where
4. Monitoring and Consent
Tel: 01903 863284
and work devices, and communications
employee monitoring no differently
www.365employmentlaw.co.uk
particularly important for employees who
Employees have an expectation of
often left out of communications, social
routinely monitored eg internet usage,
adapt to the hybrid working model.
to monitor their employee productivity
includes a safe working set up, relevant reasonable, a separation on personal
Employers should treat the issue of
on any office issues. The last point is
with hybrid and home based staff.
do not ever work in the office. They are
privacy that their activities will not be
events etc, and all employers need to
private e-mails etc. If employers want
365 Employment Law
ajones@365employmentlaw.co.uk
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 21
Selling, buying or starting a business? Call us on 0800 84 94 101 Offices across Sussex
www.mayowynnebaxter.co.uk 22 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
SBT PROPERTY
PROPERTY MARKET PREDICTIONS - WHAT’S IN STORE FOR 2022? BY STEVE CHIPP, DIRECTOR AT TOWN & COUNTRY PROPERTY SERVICES
SBT PROPERTY SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 23
Property market predictions what’s in store for 2022?
By Steve Chipp, Director at Town & Country Property Services Making predictions in
Property
today’s turbulent and unpredictable world? You might think I’m
brave - or mad - but
I’m going to give it a go.
Forecasting is never easy and I’ve long since traded in my crystal ball. As a
lettings agent, I obviously have a vested interest but the property market is
always a good barometer of how the economy is faring.
Along with other hot topics, it’s
frequently a political football, with
repeated calls for greater regulation and legislative change.
It remains to be seen if the Government will view professional landlords as
24 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
an increasingly useful “money tree”,
via ramped-up taxation, to help plug financial deficits post Covid.
Likewise, we need to factor in the
economic headwinds that might have a major impact on people’s ability to rent or buy locally.
Expected hikes in historically-low interest rates, coupled with the highest inflation rates for nearly 30 years, is bound to
take its toll, along with spiralling gas and electricity prices and general uncertainty about a post-pandemic world.
Looking at all this in more detail, I‘m going to stick my head above the parapet, so here goes:
Residential sales - Brighton remained the
most profitable buy-to-let location in the
UK for a second year running during 2021,
according to CIA Landlords’ research. This keeps property prices buoyant, as people continue to move to the coast.
So why is Brighton - and neighbouring Hove - so popular and will the trend continue this year?
I’d be inclined to say a resounding
“Yes”, with tenants lining up for rental
property the minute it becomes available and up to 20 people competing for the same flat or house.
Inevitably, that will drive up rents
and may encourage tenants to look elsewhere, but will they?
Part of Brighton and Hove’s appeal is
P RO PE RTY
Most industry pundits are now
predicting it won’t get onto the statute books until next year.
For some landlords and letting agents this may come as a relief but many
of us are frustrated by the lack of real progress and would welcome some clarity either way.
Changes in the pipeline - there’s
also a rake of other issues dominating
discussions, including the following trends: • Could “lets with pets” become the
norm? Previously, only 7% of landlords
were pet-friendly. For more information, see my recent blog: Making it obvious - a fashionable seaside location, quick and easy rail links to London, good schools, and large student
population. There’s no sign of demand abating and I expect this to continue throughout 2022.
Changes to the law? I’m often asked if I’d support greater regulation within our industry.
The need for responsible and proactive letting agents has never been more
vital, particularly during periods of high demand and low supply.
However, I doubt that Home Buying and Selling Reform will happen just
yet, despite the need to make it easier for all parties.
There was extensive work by the
Regulation of Property Agents (RoPA) working group back in 2019 but its
recommendations were put on ice as the pandemic hit.
Given the distractions facing the
Government currently, I doubt it’s
top priority, despite some positive
developments focused on clarity of
information and digitalisation. Interested to know more? Check out the following
link: Regulation of Property Agents (RoPA) | Propertymark
The Renters’ Reform Bill is also a hot topic amid fears that it’s been
kicked into the long grass, at least for
easier to rent and keep a pet -
Brighton and Hove Property News (brightonhoveproperty.news)
• An increase in “green mortgages” as
the UK increasingly focuses on climate
the time being.
change and energy efficiency. In a
In order to get things moving, the
property owners to “become greener”.
Government needs to issue its long-
awaited White Paper, delayed from last
nutshell, this incentivises landlords and
• Changes to carbon monoxide
Autumn to an unspecified date this year.
detector rules, requiring landlords
Nothing can happen until it’s gone before
fixed appliances, including gas-fired
Parliament and it’s bound to spark
controversy, however the detail looks. Here’s a quick overview of what it’s
to install detectors in all homes with boilers and fires.
So, we shall see. Hopefully, I’ve got at least some of this right, and the world
likely to include:
will have settled down by the end of the
• removing Section 21 (relating to no-
However it pans out, please bear in mind
fault evictions) from the Housing Act
year, as we “learn to live with Covid”.
it’s only my personal opinion and little is
1988 and replacing it with a more
set in stone.
mandatory grounds for repossession).
Here’s to a happy, successful and
comprehensive Section 8 (focused on
• introducing lifetime deposits for
tenants to cut the cost of moving between rented properties.
healthy 2022 for landlords, letting agents and tenants alike!
www.brightonlettings.co.uk
•E nsuring that the “rogue” letting
agents and landlords database is publicly accessible.
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 25
You miss the bus and then two come at once!
Avoid penalties and file your Self-Assessment tax return on time. The deadline for filing your Self-Assessment Tax form and paying any tax due for the 2020 / 2021 tax year, is the 31st January 2022. However, should you ‘miss the bus’ and fail to complete your tax return and/or make the payment on time, you will receive a dual purpose reminder from HMRC. Firstly, it is a prompt to remind you to file your tax return immediately. And secondly, it will inform you that for failing to file your return by the 31st January deadline, a penalty of £100 will have been raised. A big incentive to get your tax affairs in order and filed on time!
26 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
But… should you fail to act before the 30th April 2022, additional daily charges will be added, along with the interest for the whole period of overdue payment. So, what do you need to do? Well, it is now too late to file using the paper method, (that deadline was 31st October 2021) so you only have the option to file your tax return online. If it’s your first time in doing this, you will need to register and allow around 20 days for everything to be set up at HMRC. Next, collate your records, bank statements and receipts so that you can complete your tax return correctly. Submit your tax return,
and HMRC will calculate your tax liability in accordance with your tax bracket and the figures you provide. Then all you need to do is pay! Importantly, if you do miss the deadline this year, make sure you get everything filed swiftly. Then, try to get everything in order early for the 2021/22 return, so that you can file this as soon possible, after the tax year ends, in April 2022. For information, help or advice on how to file your self-assessment tax return correctly, please give our friendly team a call on 01403 588639, email info@seofon.co.uk or visit our website www.seofon.co.uk.
SBT COVER FEATURE
WE CHAT TO ROB STARR
FOUNDER OF THE STARR TRUST CHARITY
SBT COVER FEATURE SPONSORED BY:
IN SUPPORT OF:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 27
Nathan – Aspiring Paralympian and his Mum Kim
We chat with Rob Starr Cover Story
Rob last year you
simply went to school, made hardly any
in business with
Economics and a handful of CSE grade
celebrated 30 years your company Seico Group, can you tell
us a bit about your journey and the background of the company?
effort and left with an O Level in Home
Ds. I am not proud of that at all, by the
way, but looking back I think I was just not
at a school where I felt inspired. So having left school with nothing, my Dad told me
Yes, we hit 30 years on 26th November
I’d better get a job. In fact I think his words
about it as, for me, it’s only ever been one
a job or don’t come home. Of course, he
people use the “entrepreneur” word or
and I was always welcome at home, but he
brought sweets and sold them on and then
up and take responsibility. So I walked
and then….” For me, it was none of that.
office I walked into, which was a traditional
I do not consider myself an entrepreneur
into letting me make tea. When I told Dad
these days. And, certainly, I never was
thrilled when I told him I was making tea
2021. Astonishing for me to even think
were along the lines of come home with
day at a time. I always find it odd when
was the most wonderful man in the world
when people say things like “at school I
was making a point – it was time to grow
I set up a betting ring and then and then
from home into Brighton and the first
insurance brokerage, I talked the owner
as I think the word is applied too much
I had a job he was thrilled. He was less
a child desperate to have a business. I
for a bunch of people in a small office.
28 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
What transpired though was that the uninterested child I was suddenly
became interested in working and, over a few weeks, I talked the owner into
teaching me the job of insurance and I
worked my socks off – first at the door
in the morning and very last one out at night, with no lunch breaks, no toilet
breaks and no weekends off. I loved
it! I stayed with him for about eighteen
months, before I thought I knew it all and then moved to another insurance broker,
but who were commercial and not private clients. A year later I left and joined a
scheme broker. Six months later I was
with a mortgage broker. Then a pension
broker. Then an investment broker! You can see that I was desperate to learn.
By the time I was twenty years old I had realised that not only was I restless, but
COVE R STO RY
Rob Completing his Long Distance Ironman
totally unemployable. I also thought
I knew way more than I did, which at
twenty is probably where one should
be. So I left my job and went back to my first ever boss and told him I was
setting up on my own and if I promised not to attack any of his clients could I pay him a percentage of anything I
earn and use his insurance agencies
to run my business as I was too young and unknown to get any agencies of
my own. He agreed on the spot (God bless him) and Starry Eyes Insurance
Company – SEICO – was born. I put a phone in my bedroom, picked up the
yellow pages (the internet didn’t exist
back then!) and I made hundreds of cold
calls until I got a bite. Within a few years, after talking my Dad into joining me,
and trying to teach him the insurance business, and taking on a couple of
people, I found that I was actually doing
more business than my old boss. So we
parted ways again and I was able to talk insurance companies into giving me my own agencies at last.
Over the next twenty years I built up the insurance business to a staff of nearly 100 and then sold the book to a top
50 broker. I kept the company name
and permissions and switched focus to
Why did you set up the Starr Trust
really successful switch for me as I love
Setting up a charity was not something
mortgages and started again. This was a the mortgage industry a lot.
So here we are 30 years on and we
have offices in Hove, in London and randomly in Johannesburg, South
Africa. Of course, it’s been a struggle and over 30 years I have had more
sleepless nights than most people,
have taken levels of stress than should have floored me a hundred times
over and I have had to fight through
more problems than I ever could have imagined. But, all in all, I have to
say that I have absolutely loved the
journey, and today, being surrounded by fantastic staff, wonderful partners and grateful clients I honestly would
not have changed a thing that I have
gone through and I hope to keep going until they want me to leave. I still
smile when people talk about being
an “entrepreneur” and talk about their
early school business and they expect
me to be just like them, when in reality none of that ever was me. I was just
some kid who probably was a bit more tenacious than most and for some
reason made himself unemployable!
Charity?
I ever thought about doing, it was just another accidental moment in my life. The Starr Trust story started with me losing my Dad to cancer just as he
turned 60. Far too young to die. Dad was just a wonderful guy. He always
made me feel I could do anything if I just took the first step and applied myself.
It’s amazingly powerful for someone to
have so much belief in you. So when we lost him, I truly lost my best friend. But I never lost his belief in me; his words
were still in my head, as they are today. Just after his death, I took out a
£20,000 bank loan to keep Seico afloat. It was failing fast as I had definitely taken my eye of the ball when Dad
was first diagnosed a couple of years
earlier and, by the time we lost him, the business was on its last legs. Dad was an amazing guy who worked so hard, but he had never managed to build
up a pot of cash, so Seico surviving was so important to not just me but
also to my mother, my sister, my wife, my young baby; it was all I had left to
keep going. So I borrowed this money
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 29
C OVE R STORY
with the intention of buying new
computers and desks for the staff to reinvigorate the business.
I was sitting at my desk seeing what I
needed to buy when a guy popped in to
see me. I didn’t know him, but he said he had known my Dad. He spent the next hour telling me how amazing my Dad
was and how he had always talked to
him and given him time. The guy was so tearful about losing Dad. Before he left I asked him how he knew my Dad and he
said he had been Dad’s window cleaner. I was stunned! I didn’t even know if I
had a window cleaner, yet my Dad had made Martin feel like he was the most
important man in the world. That was the moment that changed my life. I realised then and there Dad’s gift. He listened and he genuinely cared.
I went back to my desk and in a fit of madness decided to give away the
£20,000 I had borrowed and to do it in
Dad’s name. I decided that I wanted his
legacy to be about inspiring and helping
others like he had with me. I went home
that night and told my wife, my sister and my brother-in-law my idea and they were happy to help me find people we could
give the money to. For some reason my wife has the ability to just trust me to
30 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
somehow make everything work – I am beyond lucky to have such a beautiful person trust me like this.
So instead of buying new computers
and desks to save my business, I went
old school and started selling insurance and mortgages again and, thankfully, within a year I had managed to bring the business back to strength again. Meanwhile, we had given away the
£20,000 to local children and groups in
my Dad’s name with the simple message of helping them be the best that they can be. I genuinely thought that we
were then done; the money was given
out and my job was done. What I never saw coming was the impact we had on not only the young people, but also on their families. We literally had changed
lives and in some cases saved lives. So how could I then walk away from that!
Because my business was now sound again, I took the decision that I would cover all the running costs of the
charity and then we would build up
a small team and together we would
fundraise by holding events and then just give 100% of what we raised
away to help champion young people. So here we now are, 15 years on,
and the Starr Trust is one of the most
respected and impactful charities in
the city. We have raised and given out over £1million and helped over 5,000 young people. Our team is small,
but so passionate. I should not really point out any individuals in the team as everyone is equal and important,
but I really have to say that my sister
Tracey and her partner in crime Rosie
(they are known as TRosie) are the life and soul of the charity and they are a force to be reconned with. Between
them, the rest of the team, and all the incredible supporters we now have I
can see the Starr Trust continuing to
remove roadblocks for young people for many, many more years. We really are just a charity founded on a bank loan
and bags of passion and one that was
inspired by the amazing man my father Edward Starr was.
Why is it so important to you to champion young children?
As a father of three, I do all I can to give my children the best start that they can have in life. I think that’s my life and
my job – educate them, teach them to be good people and support them in
whatever it is that they are passionate about. Pretty soon they will be adults
and heading into the world to start their own journeys, so I just want them to
COVE R STO RY have the best start possible and make their journey the best it can be. But,
surely, every child deserves that. Doesn’t every child deserve the chance to be the best that they can be?
My children are extremely lucky to have been born into a family who cares so
much about them and can afford to give
them everything they need. And they are
so lucky to have been born healthy and in the “right post code” – Brighton is simply a blessing of a City to be born in.
I know that life is not like this, but I just
wish every child could be given the start
my children have been given. And I wish
every child could have a voice like I had on
my shoulder telling me that I could achieve anything. I know it probably sounds corny, but I just wish all children were given
the same chance in life and it’s kind of
become a thing for me now to just help as many children believe in themselves as I
can. My Dad gave that gift to me and I just want it to be passed on.
You have personally taken on many challenges over the years to raise
money including swimming the channel and an Ironman to name a few. What has been the toughest so far?
I think living is probably the biggest
challenge of all – it’s not easy
sometimes just getting through the
week is it! I am joking of course, but there is some truth in that.
Yes, I have taken on a few challenges
over the years and each one has tested
me. I take on challenges because there is something in my DNA that seems to just make me want to test myself, see how far I can go with things. I have chosen
endurance challenges because they really test me most. I’m not by any stretch of
the imagination a natural sports person and I also suffer from Crohn’s disease,
Arthritis and Osteoporosis – most of these from my childhood. The Crohn’s disease is particularly tough as it means I cannot eat any great volume, am sometimes hit
with fatigue and often in pain. But, for me, these illnesses seem to spur me on and
make me want to push myself even more. To answer your question though, the
Channel swim was a massive challenge as I was a non-swimmer when I took it on and I went from zero swimming
to having to complete 8 & 9 hour pool
and sea swims on a regular basis whilst
being unable to refuel in the correct way. Also, I did all this training whilst running
the business, running the charity, having
three children under three and dealing
with all of life’s usual stresses and strains. But it was a journey that completely
changed my life as well as raising nearly
£100,000 for the Starr Trust to give away. Since completing the challenge I have
remained a sea swimmer and still swim in the sea all year round every day at
6.30am before work. This challenge really has shaped my life.
But can I honestly say the Ironman
wasn’t as hard! Nope. The Ironman is the toughest single day event in the world –
4k sea swim, followed by a 180k bike ride followed by a full marathon. It’s bonkers! It took me almost two years to train for
it and then took me almost 14 hours to complete. On the day I think it pushed
me harder than any other event I’ve done. But, then again, have you ever cycled up Le Mont Ventoux in France? It’s called the Giant of Provence for a
reason. Don’t even get me started on how that almost broke me!
In truth as I am not a natural sports
person in any sport, I think every single endurance event I have ever done has felt at the time like the hardest thing I have ever done.
Nathan – Aspirational Young Starr training for his wheelchair tennis Paralympic Trials
Rob on his daily early morning sea swim
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 31
C OVE R STORY raise will be given out – not a penny
Nathan – Wheelchair Tennis Athlete
goes towards our running costs.
Scan to find out more:
How can businesses get involved to support this amazing challenge and cause?
PLEASE engage with us; www.starrtrust.org You can Sponsor
me personally via our donate page and
every pound helps. But why not become
a Business Partner of the Starr Trust? We desperately need more businesses to
support us both financially and offering mentoring to our young Starrs. And
we really do engage with our business
partners so well. Speak to me or contact Can you tell us about this year’s
in, I decided I needed to do even more
Tracey & Rosie and you’ll see how much
My 52 x 52 Triathlon challenge may
people would hopefully be impressed
the Starr Trust, as well as supporting me
endurance career!
my challenge. So I decided to do an
Having had almost 18 months without
the entire year – that is 52 Triathlons in
needs some money to enable us to fund
I started with my first one on New Year’s
young people who need us. In particular,
week – and I will not. I am blogging
is such an inspiration to me and he
and have a look at our website -
challenge - the 52 x 52?
actually be the one that ends my
than that and really push myself so that
fun and how rewarding it is working with
enough to sponsor me and follow
on this really bonkers challenge!
Olympic Triathlon every single week for
Businesses, scan here to find out more:
any real fundraising, the Starr Trust really
52 weeks – hence the 52 x 52 Challenge.
all the applications we are getting from
Day and so far have not missed a single
there is one young man, Nathan, who
every week so please do support me
needs our financial assistance to get
www.starrtrust.org/52x52-challenge
And did I hear you have written a
I have decided to push myself harder
If you reach the amazing £100,000
Well, I had a few hours left in my day
raise another £100,000 to not only help
raised support?
young Starrs. To get peoples’ attention
to help Nathan get to the Paralympics.
and wondering what was lurking beneath
something that had never been done
raise will be given out to local young
decided to let my imagination run wild
still somehow I felt was doable.
roadblocks that they face. That can be
you are hundreds of metres out at sea all
So I chose to follow Nathan’s Olympic
being the best that they can be – sport,
– which is a 1.5k Swim, followed by a
– anything that is stopping them. Our
Brings Back” and it is a Ghost Thriller
had done some in the past and I know
hope young people will reach out to us
action at sea. It’s available now on my
complete. On its own, it is a challenge.
We already have so many applications
robstarr.ampbk.com, or on Amazon,
one year and that had been character
raise the more young people we can
in Brighton. I would love to see some
him to the next Paralympic Games. So
book as well?
than I have ever done, to see if I can
target, who specifically will the money
and didn’t want to waste them…
Nathan, but also to help so many other
Well first of all we need to find £20,000
After spending so many hours in the sea
and garner their support I needed to find
After that, the balance, of whatever we
me as I swim around the Palace Pier I
before, was a really crazy challenge, but
people aged 10-25 to help remove
– which is not a great thing to do when
anything that is stopping them from
alone as a storm is starting to brew.
theme and choose an Olympic Triathlon
art, education, mental health, poverty
My new book is called “What the Tide
40k Bike ride followed by a 10K run. I
website holds application forms and I
set in and around Brighton, with a lot of
they take me between 3 – 4 hours to
and let us know how we can help them.
website in Paperback and EBook,
In fact, I had once managed to do six in
ready to help, but the more money I can
WHSmith, Waterstones or in City Books
building. But today, in this world we live
help. And, of course, 100% of what we
five star reviews pop up (please!).
32 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
SBT
COVER FE ATU RE
START UPS & ENTRPRENEURES
FUNDING, FINANCE AND FINDING A START-UP CASH INJECTION BY BIPC SUSSEX
THE TIGERS POUNCE ON THE UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON
ORGANISED BY SONNY CUTTING OF THE SUSSEX BUSINESS SHOW
INTRODUCING THE DECEMBER 2021 PROFITNET PIONEERS
REFLECTING ON AN INCREDIBLE YEAR OF THE BRITE PROJECT
SBT START UPS & ENTRPRENEURES SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 33
Funding, Finance and Finding a Start-up Cash Injection
A surprising number of finance options to get your start-up off the ground How do you really
New Business
get your business
going when you’re limited by cash?
That’s the pivotal
question facing so many start-ups
coming to the Business & IP Centre (BIPC) Sussex. Some might have
savings, some have friends or family
who can help, but without real financial support, their business could remain a hobby or just a dream.
Which is why it’s so gratifying when our BIPC team can instantly inform people of the many financial options open to
both new and existing small businesses, for free! The only real question is, which direction is best for that business. So where do you start?
34 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
Step 1
textbooks on bookkeeping to get a
Write a business plan and know your
handle on things.
money, but it often comes from not
Step 2
online, or on the high street? Are you a
financial dependents or extra pressures
cash flow! Lots of start-ups worry about knowing your numbers. Are you operating
On Universal Credit, benefits, or have
sole trader, or do you have a team?
to take into consideration? Look up your
When you sit down with one of the
(previously Money Advice Service) and
plan, your costs and revenue will be
self-employed might affect your benefits.
Business Model Canvas, as it’s very
Gov.uk for information on Help with
situation on the Money Helper website
BIPC team to work on your business
find out if having two jobs or becoming
considered. We recommend using the
If you’re on Universal Credit, head to
straightforward and clear way to plan
moving from benefits to work, including
your business.
assistance for the first 12 months.
Then use our COBRA database’s
Step 3
writing a cash flow to really know your
carefully. What suits one person will
the figures? Borrow one of our BIPC
discuss & agree on your choice(s) with
Business Information Factsheet on
Consider your financial income options
numbers. Do you get muddled with
not suit another, and you will need to
N EW BUS I N E S S
any partners/co-owners if you’re not the only business owner. We always
recommend getting independent advice from a financial advisor too.
What are your finance options? Startup Loan
The majority of big high street banks offer loans to start-up businesses, as does the
Government (British Business Bank). Make a list and scrutinise details of what each
offer. Does the amount offered meet your
needs? Is the interest rate reasonable, and does it increase? What other services,
such as mentoring, are on offer for free
with the loan – is there anything you need and would otherwise have paid for? Investors
Perhaps you don’t mind divvying up
portions of your new company/product for the sake of the finances to get it off the ground, and the expertise which
investors can bring can often be a bonus. Have you heard of Angel Investors?
They are individuals, often successful
entrepreneurs themselves, who use their
own money to invest in small businesses. In return, the investor will usually take
a minority equity stake in the company. Sometimes, business angels invest as part of a group (syndicate).
Crowdfunding
these, contact BIPC Sussex, your Local
option to the forefront in the past 10
For instance, here in Sussex we have the
crowdfunding platforms available.
Growth Platform, to name only a few!
platform to call to the public to put up
Grants
fund a part of your business. The end
finances with interest, this could be just
to get £3,000 in six months to fit out
database to scour all available grants
incentivise the public with funding goals,
discover which you are eligible for, and
you over £200 etc. Be aware that you
Each organisation offering a grant will
Kickstarter has really brought this
Council, or search our COBRA database.
years and there are now many different
Invest4Grant, RISE Innovation and Green
Essentially, you list on an online public some cash to help you get started or
And finally, grants! If you’re not keen on
goal has to be specific (i.e. we’re aiming
the ticket. Use our huge GRANTfinder
our new shop) and you also need to
across the UK within minutes, and
such as a reward for anyone who funds
what the application requirements are.
must keep all your funding goal promises.
have different criteria for applying, so
Alternative Loans and Funding
ensure you read the database’s invaluable
as ever, read the details carefully – and
Have you been refused a loan before,
help sheets on writing grant applications!
because of financial problems in the
Get in touch with BIPC Sussex for more
from Community Development Financial
our free business databases, or book
there to help people refused financial
Information Specialist.
Responsible Finance website to see
Visit www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/bipc
or think you’ll be refused a start-up loan past? You still have financial options
details on any of these options, to use
Institutions (CDFIs) in your area, who are
a free one-to-one session with a BIPC
assistance from banks. Head to the
what the options are in your local area.
or email bipc@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Local Funding Opportunities
You can guarantee that there will be
several funding opportunities – loans
or grants in your local area. To discover
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 35
N EW B US I N E S S
The Tigers pounce on the University of Brighton
This January, an exciting new concept arrived at the University of Brighton with a panel of senior businesspeople taking on the role of judges as part of the ‘Tiger’s Pen’. Organised by Sonny
New Business
Cutting of the Sussex Business Show, five Tigers judged five
student presentations.
Each of the students were studying
an entrepreneurship unit as part of the University’s School of Business and
Law. Dr. Adam Jones from the University capably oversaw proceedings and
organised the Tigers – not an easy feat. I was honoured to be part of it as a lone
Tigress alongside Sam Thomas, publisher of this wonderful magazine and founder of FirmBalls, as well as Paul Britton,
owner of Britton and Time Solicitors, Nick Poyner, Managing Director of Rubix VT, as well as Steve Rackley, Co-Founder
& Director of James Chase and Silicon Brighton & Diverse Sussex.
That’s quite the line-up. For those of you who might not know, I run an award-
winning PR agency in Brighton called Midnight Communications alongside
36 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
my business partner Alex Hankinson. The Tigers, therefore, represented
public relations, recruitment, tech, law, telecoms and publishing, each with
experience in entrepreneurship and/or running businesses.
Us Tigers were sat in a row, with the students sat in front, each group
coming down in turn to pitch their idea to us. The tension was palpable. The reality of what was about to unfold
hit the students who had largely been confined to their dorms of late and
therefore hadn’t had much experience of physical presentations.
However, when Sonny announced that there could be actual money on the
table, the lights went on in a few of the
students’ eyes as they realised that their concept could become a reality. The
prospect was real. Some were excited. Some looked like they were about to
have a full-blown panic attack. I felt for them, I really did, but it’s moments like
this that shape you as a person and,
hopefully, the students will remember
the experience for years to come…and hopefully our advice helped them get a better grade at the very least!
We were tasked with quizzing the
students on their concepts with the aim to decide on two winning groups: best presentation and best concept. Both
winning teams took away a nice bottle of wine, but the best concept winner
got the biggest prize: the opportunity
to pitch at the Sussex Business Show
on 5th May 2022 for the chance to win actual investment.
The first group pitched
‘Bambootilicious’. A memorable
name, certainly, and the group got points for their sustainable-first
approach to the brand which was
essentially women’s knickers made from bamboo at £20 a pop. It’s a
heavily saturated market though and the Tigers suggested that a bigger
N EW BUS I N E S S
marketing budget would be needed to
get cut through against the competition. How many of you reading this are tired of seeing the same stock
imagery used across social media
and websites? Well group number two aimed to resolve this with a new app
for photographers to sell their photos
and get commissions from businesses looking for something unique. Our
advice included promoting the app to photography clubs first and targeting specific business sectors that would be most likely to use the service.
Next up we had the latest in smart
tech, in the form of a bedside table
called ‘Element’ which could charge all your devices at once whilst also
delivering a lamp, a portable tray and a range of colour options to suit all style choices - yours for just £150
apiece. Whilst the group suggested this could be sold to individuals,
the Tigers thought a better market
for this could be hotels and student accommodation developers.
The child safety app ‘Safe Guide’
aimed to answer parents’ fears for
their children with an app designed to monitor messaging via social media
apps. An engaging and well-thought-out
presentation earned the group ‘best pitch’. And finally… our winners for best concept went to Night Saver. I
immediately decided they had a jingle already – I was silently singing ‘night saver’ to the tune of ‘night fever’ in my head. Night Saver delivers all
your clubbing needs in one app with multiple revenue streams including subscriptions, ticket sales and
advertising, and a focus on making
clubbing safer. The Tigers decided this
idea took the crown. They had identified their target audience (students), they
had considered piloting it in Brighton before launching in other cities
(sensible) and they proposed a bigger
marketing budget than any of the other groups – asking for £100k to start up, with £50k on developing the app and £50k to promote it. Nice work lads.
I thoroughly enjoyed being a Tiger for
the night and hearing the ideas of the future generation of businesspeople. It gave me hope for the future of our great county – I hope the students stay local after graduation and I
look forward to seeing some of the
concepts become reality. Make sure
you pop along to the Sussex Business Show on 5th May, and if you spot
a group of students practicing their
Night Saver pitch… wish them luck!
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 37
N EW B US I N E S S
Introducing the Profitnet Pioneers
As the year comes to an end, we reflected on an incredible year for the BRITE project. At the recent BRITE Disruptors celebration, we looked back at some of the brilliant businesses completing BRITE programmes in its first year. Ahead of the new
Innovators
year, it’s now time to
look ahead and shine
a light on some of the exciting businesses
that have joined the BRITE Profitnet
programme over the past few months. As part of the BRITE Project’s Profitnet
programme, some of Greater Brighton’s most innovative entrepreneurs meet monthly to learn from each other through facilitated peer-to-peer
sessions. Members develop strategies, solve challenges and hold each other accountable in a confidential and
professionally-led setting by expertise from the University of Brighton.
Over 1,300 businesses have taken part in the University’s Profitnet programme since 2004, helping them to achieve significant growth on their profit, turnover, and employment.
Applications are now open for the next
intake of Profitnet businesses. If you’re
a CEO or founder wanting to tackle real business challenges, sign up for a free taster session to find out if Profitnet is right for your business. https://tinyurl.com/
Introducing the December 2021 Profitnet Cohort WYSA
Blending artificial intelligence with
support from mental health professions, the Wysa AI Coach is designed to help people experiencing low mood, stress,
38 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
or anxiety. Users are helped to improve their emotional resilience using evidence-
based cognitive-behavioral techniques (CBT), DBT,
meditation, breathing, yoga, motivational interviewing, and micro-actions.
The app is designed for
both individuals looking for support, and employers
that want to provide their workforce with mental
health assistance. Wysa
has over 3 million users,
and is ranked among the top mental health apps available worldwide. TabTime
Smith & Co
that make it easier for you and your
interior design professionals elevate
manageable. Products include
quality framed artwork. Smith & Co
and pill alarms – all designed to
delivers a presentation of artwork
is taken correctly.
including abstract, photography,
Each product is created to be flexible
also source bespoke artwork or
TabTime creates innovative products
Since 2019, Smith & Co has helped
loved ones to make their medication
their portfolio by supplying high-
automatic pill dispensers, pill boxes,
listens to clients’ requirements, then
provide peace of mind that medication
from their extensive collections –
triptychs, and groupings. They can
to changing medication needs. Users
commissions for clients.
Alzheimer’s, HIV aids, TB, hypertension
The ready-to-hang artworks are
or regular medication. TabTime says,
projects, as well as stocking dealers.
very best and latest products to fulfill
company is dedicated to helping
find what we want ‘off the peg’, we will
sold, 12 trees are planted in association
include those that have Parkinson’s,
and other ailments that require frequent
designed for residential and commercial
“We constantly scour the world for the
Led by owner Solomon Smith, the
our customers’ needs and if we cannot
support the planet. For every piece of art
develop it ourselves.”
with The Ecologi Project.
N EW BUS I N E S S Solomon Smith, founder of Smith & Co Galleries, said: “The BRITE Project’s
Profitnet has allowed me to take a look into other companies that are running at a similar level to us. It’s a fantastic
forum to get creative and experienced ideas to the everyday problems that we’re facing as a business. That
experience that you can tap into is absolutely invaluable.” Sal Jefferies
As well as helping keep Plus X Brighton members happy and relaxed in weekly breathwork and yoga workshops, Sal Jefferies provides coaching, group
training, and yoga classes focused
on helping those who are stressed, uncertain about their future, and in need of support.
Search Seven
linear TV content, knowing that today’s
Through mindset, mood, and movement
specialises in paid media, SEO, and
multiple screens and formats – including
confident and strong, and able to create
provide services for sectors including
broadcast animation.
both work and life.
e-commerce, and travel. The award-
Their blended business model combines
With coaching, he helps overcome
as a leading company in Brighton and
with a digital agency providing
Digital marketing agency Search Seven
young audiences access content across
training, Sal helps people feel calm,
conversion rate optimisation. They
games, apps, websites, VR, AR, video, and
innovative solutions to tackle changes in
education, charity, food and drink,
winning agency is regularly recognised
original IP development and production
challenges including imposter syndrome
Sussex business awards.
interactive development and animation
provides leadership training to help
Search Seven aims to ‘make a
Channel 4, Nickelodeon, The British
during stressful and uncertain times.
from the measurable work they do with
and confidence in pricing. He also
business owners and senior teams lead
difference’ with everything they do –
services. Clients include the BBC, Museum, and CBeebies.
clients, through to extensive
Major Digital
year the company pledges
design and digital creative agency.
and community projects. The
solutions for seamless customer
10-year anniversary, and set
lasting results for clients.
target of raising £77,000 over
Services include UX research and
fundraising each year. Each
Major is a Brighton-based branding,
7% of profits to local charities
They focus on creating customised
team recently celebrated their
experiences that transform into long-
themselves the ambitious their 10th year.
insights, creative branding and design,
Plug-In Media
have a dedicated team of coders,
and technical web development. They
Plug-In Media is a multi-BAFTA-
technologists, designers and project
Led by Managing Directory
a strategy with impact.
entertainment for young
Diamond Dental
interactive entertainment and
Dental Staff, provides professional
winning digital production studio. Juliet Tzabar, the studio creates audiences. They create both
managers eager to help clients develop
Dental recruitment specialists, Diamond
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 39
N EW B US I N E S S Innovation is at the heart of
They believe that a messy workplace
providing innovation
productivity, and affect employee
clients’ ideas into well-
supervisors (or, ninjas!) works through a
everything they do, including
can put off customers, impact
consulting to transform
morale. Each of their dedicated
defined design challenges.
personalised checklist of tasks for each
Cast Iron CAD prides itself
keep working hours transparent.
solution to almost any kind
Managing Director George Buko has built
They work with all industrial
leadership, teamwork, efficiency, growth,
including polymer
power of positivity, they aim to freshen up
on being able to find a
services to the dental world. They recruit for the full dental team, from receptions up to specialist dentists.
As well as recruitment, they provide
consultancy services that help principal dentists and business owners with
marketing, branding and content, business development, recruitment, HR and staff
training, and more. They have also created the DDDS Academy, a tailored set of
training courses for dental practices to use to level up their staff’s knowledge.
Founded in 2018 by Emma Anastasi, Diamond Dental Staff has a growing
community of nearly 4,000 members. The team’s passions include sustainability,
personal and professional development, and long-term solutions. Cast Iron CAD
With over 20 years’ experience helping companies with design and product
development, Cast Iron CAD design,
engineer, and manufacture products to solve the business problems of SMEs. They take a flexible and innovative approach to create breakthrough
products and intellectual property. 40 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
business, and provide GPS tracking to
of problem – big or small.
the business on forward-thinking values –
manufacturing techniques,
relationships, and flow. Through the
engineering, metalwork,
an old industry – making them a perfect
ceramics, and woodworking.
candidate for Profitnet!
Arc Fab Sussex
To apply and find out more about
structural steel fabricator
innovation and growth programmes
Arc Fab Sussex is a leading
the fully funded BRITE business
that operates throughout
available at Plus X Brighton, visit
Sussex, Surrey, and Kent.
They work with construction companies,
briteinnovation.co.uk.
builders, and domestic private clients
The BRITE project is receiving up to
delivery and installation.
Regional Development Fund as
Previous projects include reconstructing
Investment Funds Growth Programme
creating shade structures; and supporting
Communities and Local Government is
Nash. Their skilled and experienced team
Regional Development Fund.
high-quality creations.
the European Regional Development
Acies
their economic development by
services to businesses across Brighton
innovation, businesses, create jobs
services for offices, retail spaces, and
For more information visit www.gov.uk/
from design and fabrication through to
£5m of funding from the European
part of the European Structural and
the hull of a 1926 Thames fireboat;
2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing,
the creations of artist and sculptor Will
the Managing Authority for European
is praised for their attention to detail and
Established by the European Union, Fund helps local areas stimulate
Acies provides cleaning and support
investing in projects which will support
and Hove. They provide cleaning
and local community regenerations.
hospitality businesses.
european-growth-funding.
SBT
COVER FE ATU RE
GOOD BUSINESS
LACKING CONFIDENCE IN YOUR PRICING?
BY SAL JEFFERIES, SAL JEFFERIES COACHING & TRAINING
SBT GOOD BUSINESS SPONSORED BY:
TO LISTEN IN SBT AUDIO SCAN HERE
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 41
Lacking confidence in your pricing?
If you’re a freelancer or founder of a business, there’s a good chance that you’re very passionate about what you do, and the impact you can make in the world. Your work is rewarding but the problem comes when facing the uncomfortable part of deciding and, worse, saying how much to charge for your product or service. Perhaps you’ve
Good Business
experienced the
awkwardness of
discussing your fees when a client says,
“I love what you do, how much does
it cost? “You might get a little anxious and start mumbling or trying to justify your fee. Maybe you ask yourself,
“can I quote the figure I really want to charge?” but then find yourself going low on price which leaves you not
feeling good about yourself? This is a common pattern but can be changed with the right mindset shift.
To be confident with your pricing, you
42 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
need to work through some specific areas that will be affecting you, and
in this article, I’m going to unpack the
problem and offer 3 steps you can take. Firstly, we uncover your money story / narrative that you hold. Next, we’ll
explore your perspective on price setting and then, finally, look at a strategy you can apply straight away for a better approach to your price structure.
I’ve been a solo founder for nearly
20 years, and I’ve worked in different
industries from photography, wellbeing,
psychology and training. I’ve always been using my skills, passion and expertise and turning these into some form of
commercial work that people will transact with, so I know how difficult charging the right fee can be. In recent years,
I’ve applied my field of psychology and
human behaviour to my own pricing and I want to share this with you.
When I’m coaching business owners, the pattern of blurred boundaries between a person’s self-worth and their company’s worth can be the first place to start. It’s
absolutely critical that you separate our self worth and you from your business
worth. Setting up clear boundaries about your fee is connected to your business
offer and is not a reflection of you is the first thing to be clear on.
GOOD BUS I N E S S
The next key distinction is to recognise
how ‘you’ think about pricing. If you are
thinking from your own perspective and not your client’s perspective, you’ll be too close to this and your own biases and emotions will influence the price
you set. You are not the purchaser and this first person perspective will also be another block in being confident
to charge the optimum price. It’s very important to look at the beliefs you
hold around money. What you believe
personally directly affects your business decisions. Your core beliefs will be
unconsciously directing how you set your prices, how you speak about
money to clients and how you feel about money in general. Core beliefs need to
be named, understood and challenged if they are negative.
A mindset shift that needs to happen is the distinction between selling
your time and selling your expertise. When you change your focus to the benefits your client will get or the
problems your business will take away, that’s where true value is. I’d suggest your time is never for sale; only your expertise, skills and your problem solving abilities are for purchase.
Step 1. What’s Your Money Story?
step of deconstructing any limiting or
The narrative you hold about money is
conflicting beliefs .
you have about money, be they positive
Take your list of beliefs and read them
and actions.
a question which asks “is that really
The first exercise is to write out
you have. This simple, but powerful,
influences from growing up? What did
your beliefs and disrupt any old thinking
money? What was your upbringing
detach what you’ve inherited from other
the first place to start. The core beliefs or negative, will shape your thoughts
out to yourself and follow that with true?”. Do this for every belief that
your money story. What were your
question will shake up the rigidity of
your caregivers or parents say about
patterns. The process will help you
like? What beliefs have you adopted
people that no longer serve you.
will have shaped your worldview and
Step 2. What’s Your Perspective?
on updating things
think from a client’s perspective - the
Look at what you’ve written and
product or service.
beliefs are limiting or conflicting. For
By stepping into their shoes, you can
as ‘money’s hard to come by’ or ‘I
from their perspective. A client doesn’t
Perhaps you view money as distasteful
your business that you do; they only
beliefs are, write them down so you
desires met. Spend some time ‘being’
You have a money story and it will be
feel and want and ask yourself “what
it conscious, you can take the next
much is that worth?”.
about money? All of these experiences once you see it clearly, you can work
highlight your core beliefs. Notice which
The second exercise will help you
person who will be purchasing your
example, you might say things such
see the wants, needs and benefits
have to work really hard to get money’.
have the emotional attachment to
or bad in some way. Whatever those
want to solve a problem and get their
can see the structure of your thinking.
a client - embody what they think,
affecting your behaviour but by making
problem do you want solved? How
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 43
GOOD B US I N E S S Write out the ‘benefits’ list of all the
value you would get as a client. Use this as a metric to guide your pricing from the client’s perspective. You will also
be able to clearly articulate all of these
wonderful benefits in your marketing and sales processes.
Step 3. Have a Pricing Strategy
Our third step is to look at a pricing
strategy to apply what you have learned in step 2.
There were numerous strategies but
one that works well for the majority of
businesses is a ‘tiered pricing’ strategy. You’ve probably purchased a package for your smartphone or an internet
provider at some point and have had the option to select a package out of 3 or more options.
I use a similar strategy with my coaching business, and it’s really simple. It can be 3 tiers or more. For example , the
first tier is the basic option, the second
a tiered pricing programme. This also
premium option.
price point with different levels of service
A good idea using pricing psychology
combine all of that, then you’ll have a
tier for standard and the third tier for a
confident pricing strategy.
for its value. Some clients will go for
Finally, I’m a member of The Good
the premium option, but the majority of
a positive impact on the world
The price point from tier 1 to tier 2
a company called Ecologi to deal
premium option, wants to be a bigger
positive initiative and tree planting
in the middle at a healthy but fair price the basic option and some will go for
Business Club and I believe in having
people will go for the one in the middle.
through my business. I currently use
will be higher but the price for tier 3,
with climate impact through a climate
jump. For example, £49, £89, £289.
program. I use a percentage of my
To summarise, start by unpacking your
having a bigger purpose than only
limiting beliefs and bring your mind up
are also a part of something bigger
clients perspective. Understand what it
your pricing as well.
challenges, and notice how your product
Sal Jefferies
done that, then you can be strategic with
https://saljefferies.com
business revenue to plant trees. By
money story, challenge any negative or
making profit, clients know that they
to date. Next, shift to thinking from your
and this can have a positive impact on
is to have their pain, their issues, their
or service can solve that. When you’ve
Sal Jefferies is a human behaviour specialist working
with founders and freelancers who want to be a force for positive change in the world. He integrates psychology, human behaviour, body intelligence and breath-work to
create a unique and human-centric approach to coaching and training.
Sal believes that by working with the ‘human’ aspect of the business, we can address the core needs of the founder
first with the resulting effects being evident in the business. He helps clients develop a conscious, resilient and agile mindset so they can meet challenges and be creative in their work. Sal brings particular focus to wellbeing and
how to manage difficult emotions and stress by blending learning from psychology, breath-work and yoga.
Sal’s systemic approach means he works with the whole person; mind & body and life. He is a Contemporary
Psychotherapist PG Dip, Master Practitioner of NLP,
Mindset Coach, Yoga Teacher and Advanced Breathwork
44 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
or products you can offer. When you
is to have your main product or service
About Sal Jefferies
Trainer with Oxygen Advantage.
allows you to meet different people’s
Sal Jefferies Coaching & Training
SBT COUNTY BUSINESS CLUBS
COUNTY BUSINESS TALKS WITH...
NOEL PRESTON, PRESTON INSURANCE BROKERS
COUNTY BUSINESS CLUBS WINE OF THE MONTH
WITH BRIGHTON & HOVE WINE CLUB
SBT COUNTY BUSINESS CLUBS IS SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 45
C OU NT Y B US I N E S S C LU B S
County Business Talks with Noel Preston We meet Noel Preston, Managing Partner of Preston Insurance Brokers, an independent insurance broker based in Brighton. The business helps
CBC
all types of firms and
individuals, not just in
Sussex but across the UK. When it comes to
business, they deal with everything from start-ups to multi-nationals.
Noel is also an awesome drummer in rock covers band Planet Trousza.
But, when it comes to business, he
is the man you can guarantee will do everything with the upmost integrity.
Where did your business journey start? It was very customer service based from
the start. My first-ever job was working in
46 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
a fruit and veg shop, so that was at the
coalface I suppose. From there, I went into retail and then worked for NatWest for a
few years. I ended up at General Accident purely because my girlfriend at the time
suggested that Friday nights were good
fun and that I’d get into the football team so that was my route into insurance.
It turned out to be okay. Two years later, I ended up going to work for a brokers, then another independent brokers and
then an opportunity came about and that was nearly nine years ago. This is when I set up Preston Insurance Brokers.
I was with an independent brokers for
seventeen-and-a-half years and I really
enjoyed it there. I had a really good career
there; looked after loads of different areas of the business, whether it be corporate, SME, commercial schemes, high net
worth, sports schemes...always relatively successfully. I think (starting my own
business) it was a case of not wanting to do the same job for the rest of my career. You have been working in insurance for over 30 years, what was the
catalyst in December 2012 to make you decide to set up on your own? I was on the golf course with what is
now my business partner and he just
said ‘How are things going?’ I just said
‘Okay’. I wasn’t unhappy but wanted to do something else. He said: ‘Have you
ever fancied doing it on your own?’ And
COUN T Y BUSI N ES S CLU BS
Listen to the full interview here:
that was kind of the start of it really. He helped me set it up. Four months later, we started the business.
Inherently, there was always that desire. My grandfather used to run his own
business. I used to look at him and think he works long hours but he’s got a good life out of it, and he’s always provided excellently for his wife and family.
I think also, we all think we can do it
better - don’t we? I am a great believer that you can learn from anybody. So,
when the opportunity came, especially in my home town, I thought ‘Why not let’s give it a go.’
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced in the past 9 years? There have been a few. Starting up is a
challenge in its own right. You get all these
things thrown at you - stats, like how many new businesses fail in the first three years. So, that was ‘Phew!’ after the first few
years. Not that we didn’t have confidence in ourselves but, at the same time, those stats can be a little bit on your shoulder. You’ve then got the challenge of
employing the right people. We haven’t
had anyone leave, touch wood, since we started and we are now up to eight. The
plan was to grow sustainably every year and to add another person.
Covid, obviously, was a big challenge.
We decided not to furlough anybody and it was a seven-day week for a long time. We had members of staff working from home and we got through it. Because
of the way in which we approached it,
and how we got back to clients quickly even if it was with bad news but offering help and support where we could - it
just meant we’ve had loads of referrals
and introductions and recommendations since, which has been fantastic.
Then you have personal challenges and
they can be a bit telling as well. Nobody is ever expecting things like this but my
son, Archie, was diagnosed with a form of bone cancer a month or two before
away quite a bit but I will always tell you when I am going to be away and we are just going to need to muck in as much
as we can. We’d obviously had targets
we had set for the year and some of that goes out of the window.
It was personally and emotionally
challenging and, yes, I didn’t spend as much time in the business as I would
normally. But, we came out of that year
and we still grew by a small percentage. To still grow in those circumstances is a real testament to the people who were
there helping me. That was the staff and
clients, who were hugely understanding. Whilst we came out of it with a few scars, Archie’s still with us and the business is still going.
What are the culture and values at Preston Insurance?
his 14th birthday. It was a bolt out of the
Honesty, integrity and empathy.
then. There was only three of us with
We’ve always been flexible. I’m open to
blue. We were only a relatively small team one just about to join. It was a case of
‘What are we going to do?’ but, first and foremost, family comes first - especially
in that kind of scenario. We just sat down as a team and I said I was going to be
change. If you’ve got happy staff then
they are going to do a good job for you. We have one day a week when we are
all in the office but, if you want to come
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 47
C OU NT Y B US I N E S S C LU B S going for lunch with my wife (that’s the bit I haven’t got quite right yet!).
I don’t find it easy to switch off. Running is a great get-away for me and I do some personal training sessions.
Obviously, the drumming is the biggest escape for me. There is nothing other
than the music you are thinking about. It’s a real buzz.
What does the future hold for Noel and Preston Insurance?
I know we are nearly nine years in but in more, come in. We want to make sure people don’t disconnect. I want the
team to have flexibility but I also want them to respect each other.
We will employ, first and foremost, on
personality and who that individual is. If you get someone with the right attitude and aptitude and humanity, you can
train the insurance stuff. They have all had some insurance experience, even
if it is just a year. We put them through exams and we’ve only got one that is
now working towards their qualification. Everyone else is qualified, so it’s all about supporting them throughout. When you are in a service industry,
you are a person dealing with another
person so those human relationship and
personality skills are massively important when you are giving good news, bad
news, indifferent news or just passing the time of day. Our team cares passionately about representing the business and themselves in the right way.
Tell us about your greatest
achievement in business, and can you
define what success looks like to you? I am not sure there has been a
greatest achievement. Just starting the business, getting it off the ground and surviving that first year.
48 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
Awards - they have given us some credibility and we picked up the
insurance for the i360. To be picked from three brokers, when the other two are a lot larger and have been around longer than us, was a massive boost from a
credibility point of view. It was something that put us on the map a little bit.
The last six months have been the best
we’ve ever had, off the back of arguably the month challenging 12-18 months. At the beginning, there were no
delusions of grandeur. To get to 10 to 12 people and be profitable is still the plan, while retaining what is now a renowned and revered service.
How do you achieve a work-life balance?
Sometimes I get it really right and
sometimes I get it really wrong. One thing about having a business is that it gives you flexibility and that’s why I am quite
conscious from a staff point of view; that they have a bit of flexibility too.
I try not to do client work on a Friday. So I keep Friday clear for working on the business from a strategy point of view - so working on it rather than in it, or maybe doing some corporate
entertaining or just having a day off and
we’ve still got a lot to achieve. I also want the future to bring something to the staff as well as the business; opportunity,
stable employment, a rewarding place
to work. Do I sell? That is certainly not
on the cards. I would really like Preston
Insurance Brokers to go on beyond me. What advice would you give to a young entrepreneur or someone
wanting to start their own business? Do it! There were three things that
came into my head when I started: Is it something you really want to do - if it
is, you will succeed; is it something you enjoy doing - if it is, you will succeed; and can you surround yourself with
people really positive, supportive helpful people - if you can, you will succeed! Can you state three traits you
think a person needs to be a good businessperson/ entrepreneur?
Be prepared to work hard but smart, be sincere and just be yourself.
There is no dressing it up, (being a good businessperson) is hard work.
Listen to the podcast interview: https:// youtu.be/YXmP7YOmZ7Y Website: https://www.
prestoninsurancebrokers.co.uk/ Twitter: @prestoninsbrkrs
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
LISTEN
WATCH
SUBSCRIBE
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 49
WI N E OF T H E MON TH
County Business Club Wine of the Month January 2022
Ciaurìa Mount Etna Rosso As we move into mid winter, I am always
drawn to a nice flavoursome red, typically from Italy, France or Spain. A good red wine is the ideal accompaniment to a
roaring fire and some hearty food whilst
we wait for spring to arrive. This month I have chosen a Southern Italian red from the island of Sicily called Ciaurìa Mount Etna Rosso.
Background to Italian reds and
specifically Sicilian Mount Etna wine
Italy is famous for it’s red wines which are grown across the country, the
terroir is perfect for making a range of
wines. Other famous reds which I love from Italy are;
• Barolo – lovely aged wines from
Piedmonte in North West Italy which uses the Nebbiolo grape
• Chianti – fruity Classic or Reserva
wines from Western Italy using the popular Sangiovese grape
• Nero D’Avola – rich dark fruits and higher alcohol wines from Sicily
The Mount Etna wines are also grown
on the island of Sicily so if you have ever
Michael’s tasting notes
A light body with lots of character.
Red fruits on the nose and cherry and strawberry with a hint of vanilla and
pepper on the taste. Even though 14% volume, it is a very easy wine to drink. The wine makers notes for this wine ;
I started to produce a simpler Etna Rosso, which wants to be the daily wine, to be tasted every day, and which every day
brings us back to the aromas and flavours of Nerello Mascalese that grows on the
slopes of Etna. A wine that, as they say
in Sicily, “Ciaurìa” from Etna. A wine that
impresses with its disarming yet not banal simplicity. A magic that is consumed only when you meet an extraordinary grape variety with a unique territory. Food pairings
From the winemaker - Ciaurìa goes
well with dishes of land, of all seasons, typical of Etna, and with a careful
serving temperature, even with some fish dishes.
My preference is to serve with a nice beef or wild boar ragu and paradelle pasta.
been to Catania or Palermo then you
Key facts for Ciauria Mt Etna Rosso
these wines as the house red. Mount
Type of terrain - Black earth, porous and
may have been offered one or more of Etna Rosso wines are grown on the
slopes of the 3300 metre active volcano which means that the wines are grown
in a colder climate with lots of sunshine. This, together with the regular mountain
mist, protects the grapes from too much heat from the searing sunshine and
retains it’s elegance. Mount Etna wines
have great character, have a good level
of alcohol but are light enough to enjoy a glass without food.
50 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
Altitude of vineyard - 750 m
deep soil composed of volcanic ash, with traces of sand, rich in minerals
plus delivery. For more details www.
brightonandhovewineclub.co.uk or
Social - @brightonandhovewineclub Fact of the month for Italian Wines The Ministry of Agriculture and
Forestry in Italy has authorized over
350 different grape varieties but there are over 500 different kinds of grapes in circulation within the country. In
comparison, almost 100% of France’s wine only comes from about 60 different grapes.
Michael Yeoman,
brightonandhovewineclub.co.uk Michael Yeoman owns Brighton and Hove Wine Club and also creates a
Grape variety - Nerello Mascalese
range of Sussex spirits using the pomace
Maturation - Refinement in bottles -
specialises in working with small batch
Production – just 4000 bottles (750ml)
and the South Downs.
Harvest time - Mid October minimum 6 months
This wine can be purchased from Brighton and Hove Wine Club at
£15.50 a bottle or £93 for a case of 6
from English wine production. He
wine producers in and around Sussex
SBT
COVER FE ATU RE
TECH
HOW DID EXTECH CLOUD BECOME THE HOME OF HYBRID WORKING?
BY ANDREW HOOKWAY, EXTECH CLOUD
SBT TECH SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 51
How did Extech Cloud become the home of hybrid working? The adjustment to remote working during the height of the pandemic was an aboutturn for many businesses who found themselves unprepared for the required IT and network changes. Now, almost two
Tech
years later, we are
seeing the dawn of permanent hybrid
working, and Extech
Cloud, also known as the ‘Home
of Hybrid Working’, looks back on lessons learned about running a successful business.
“The most successful businesses are
the three per cent that innovate change, and the second most successful are
usually the 15 per cent who are early adopters of the change,” Director of
52 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
Sussex-based Extech Cloud, Andrew Hookway, explains. “The rest are the ‘also-rans’ who either adopt too late
to profit from the change, or who are resistant to change.”
A big change for businesses around the
world, and across every industry sector, is adapting to hybrid working as a new way
forward, and ensuring that IT Systems can support day-to-day operations, enabling collaborative working, and appropriate levels of security.
“The latest development in IT, Windows
365, is going to affect all businesses,
whether we like it or not. You then have a choice. You can choose to join the
18%, or remain with the 82%,” Andrew
adds. “Change is the only constant, and it is important to coach your team to
accept and implement that change.” Rather than waiting for change to
happen, Extech Cloud took the bold
move three years ago to fully migrate to
the Cloud and only offer cloud solutions to clients. To many, this may have
seemed like a financially bad idea. It
took some reengineering of the business
TECH
Andrew Hookway
and competitive edge they need to grow their businesses.
Keeping abreast of what was starting
nevertheless, for Extech Cloud as an
early adopter and implementer it has
paid off in the long run, benefitting the company and its customers.
“We made this transition three years
ago and it’s taken that long to settle and succeed,” Andrew explains. “We took a
risk in order to futureproof our business,
as well as the businesses of our clients.” Extech Cloud has led the field in
developing a successful and unique process in-house, which allows the
positioning of all of its Clients’ IT needs
within the Microsoft environment, which is not currently matched by any other
local company. Extech Cloud continues
to work closely with Microsoft to ensure clients’ systems provide the efficiency
hybrid working, whatever the size and type of file the user is working on.
to happen in the marketplace in 2018,
Operating fully in the Cloud enables
traditional IT services model of kit and
and clients, and Cloud IT Systems tend
cloud-based model.
measures, continually developing to keep
“Our early research revealed that the
methods. Because the entire IT System
profitable for IT support businesses,”
cost outlay when it comes to hardware.
that Extech Cloud needed to get on that
In the everchanging IT industry, with
the process of the market change.”
providers don’t keep as up to speed
The timely release of Windows 365 (not
expertise as they should. Extech Cloud
Office 365) earlier this year is what most
and training, working hard to keep
should now be looking for. Whether
clients need and how to deliver that.
the Cloud is the way the world is moving.
ISO27001 recertification for Information
Extech Cloud was aware that the
collaboration in real time with colleagues
servers onsite was changing to a totally
to rely on more robust cybersecurity
Cloud model was considerably less as well as facing a dip in profits,
PC, across multiple devices, for seamless
Andrew reveals. “However, we knew
journey to remain competitive and survive
a step ahead of ever-evolving cybercrime is hosted in the Cloud, there is little to no
rapidly evolving technology, some IT with up-to-date knowledge and
to be confused with the Microsoft 365 or
focuses on personal staff development
Sussex and southern based businesses
ahead of the trends, and to know what
businesses like it or not, operating fully in
The company also recently achieved
Windows 365 is Microsoft’s complete
Security Management.
software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution,
“We are proud to be at the forefront
experience, including apps, content,
work hard to help our clients succeed,”
remote and hybrid working, enabling
info@extech.co.uk or fill out the contact
personalised Windows desktop, or Cloud
call back.
that streams a personalised Windows
of this new era of hybrid working, and
and settings, to any device. It is built for
Andrew adds. Email Extech Cloud on
the user ‘anywhere access’ to their
form at www.extechcloud.com for a
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 53
TEC H
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.
54 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
SBT
CHA RITY
CHARITY
ROCKINGHORSE CHILDREN’S CHARITY ASK SUPPORTERS... TO MAKE THIS NEW YEAR A HAPPY ONE
THE BRIGHTON GRAND RAISES OVER £16,000
FOR NEW NEONATAL VENTILATOR
CHOSEN CHARITY PARTNER:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 55
C HA RI T Y
Rockinghorse Children’s Charity asks supporters to make this New Year a happy one At the beginning of 2022, charity asks if you can help them make someone smile. Winter can be
Charity
gloomy, with dark mornings, cold
weather and not much to look
forward to. Which is why this new year
Rockinghorse are hoping to inspire you to make it a happier time of year.
We all know that doing something for
ourselves, or even better for others, can make us feel good, but it’s so much
more than that. It can also improve our
mental health and wellbeing, helping us
face those dark winter days with a smile, knowing we’ve done something that really makes a difference.
So, could you make someone happy this new year? It could be making yourself
smile by achieving a new goal such as running your first half marathon. Or it
could be asking your friends and family to sponsor you in your challenge which will
help bring a smile to a sick child this year. But anything you do to support the charity, even something as simple as making a
56 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
donation to Rockinghorse, can help make
simple, safe and quick as possible for
a child’s visit to hospital a happier one.
young patients. Equipment like new
Across Sussex thousands of babies,
raising funds for that are specifically
in hospital or health care settings every
nursed at the Alex, meaning they don’t
or regular appointments to manage a
and reducing the time they stay in hospital.
neonatal ventilators that we are currently
children and young people spend time
designed to help babies under 5kg be
year. This could be a one-off visit to A&E
have to travel far from home to be treated
long-term health condition.
“That pound also goes towards helping
Whatever the reason, it’s so important
children with speech and language
happy as possible, helping children just
the education they need. Your support
to us to make these experiences as
issues and learning disabilities access
enjoy being children.
will help us fund a new sensory room at
Janella Merritt, Head of Fundraising at
children can be accurately assessed and
the Pupil Referral Unit in Brighton so that
Rockinghorse, explains why it can be
receive the right help to return to school.”
can make a difference. She said: “It
So, this new year, why not think about
impact. How can doing something that
good will also help someone else feel
I don’t know happy? But every single
events page to find a challenge or event
difficult to understand how one person might not feel like you can make a big
how something you could do to feel
makes me happy, also make someone
happy. Just look at the Rockinghorse
pound that our supporters raise really
you could sign up for.
does do this.
“It goes towards cutting edge equipment for hospitals that make treatment as
And have a very happy start to 2022. www.rockinghorse.org.uk
CHA RITY
The Brighton Grand raises over £16,000 for new neonatal ventilator The iconic Brighton seafront hotel has raised the £16,250 donation for Rockinghorse over the past year, despite having to close its doors for several months.
The Grand has
Charity
been a supporter of Rockinghorse
Children’s Charity for
many years, regularly
holding events at the hotel in aid of the charity.
However, as the hospitality sector has
faced significant upheaval over the last couple of years, the normal fundraising events they organise simply weren’t possible. Added to which, they also
had to close their doors completely for around nine months during the past couple of years.
But this didn’t stop the staff team at the hotel finding new ways that they could support the charity.
And the main idea they came up with was to add a discretionary charity
donation of £2 onto every room booked at the hotel. And this small donation added up to a total of over £16,000 being raised for Rockinghorse!
Michele Goering, PA to the Managing
Director of the Grand, explained more about their fundraising: “It was really
important to everyone here at The
Grand is no exception. Not only did
hotel was facing, we continued to help
so many months, but they also had
Grand that despite the challenges the
they have to manage being closed for
this great local charity.
to show such incredible resilience to
“And our guests couldn’t have been
hospitality sector was facing.
been able to raise such an amazing
“So, to be able to fundraise such
more generous! We are so proud to have
manage the ongoing uncertainty the
amount for Rockinghorse.”
an amazing amount under these
These funds are being put towards the
are so thankful to the whole staff team
the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital
the hotel and donated to us. All this
designed to help babies under 5kg in
able to help so many sick babies in
circumstances is just incredible. We
purchase of a new neonatal ventilator for
and every single guest that visited
in Brighton. This ventilator is specifically
generosity has resulted in us being
weight be nursed at the hospital as
the future.”
quickly as possible.
Michele added: “It’s wonderful to know
Not only does this help them get the
that thanks to our guests, we have been
them having to be transferred to
of equipment for our local children’s
of time they need to stay in hospital and
up with many more fundraising ideas
treatment they need, but it also avoids
able to provide such an important piece
London, therefore reducing the length
hospital. And we can’t wait to come
hopefully making the whole process
so that we can continue to support
easier on them and their families.
Rockinghorse in the future.”
Donna Holland, Rockinghorse CEO,
To find out more about Rockinghorse
their support: “Over the last few years
throughout Sussex, take a look at their
thanked the team at the hotel for all
and how they support sick children
we have seen some amazing support
website at www.rockinghorse.org.uk.
shown by local businesses, and The
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 57
FOR MORE INFO SCAN HERE
MY £10k TRUSTEE CHALLENGE A lot ofg runnin
Triathlon
24 Hour Podcast
Events
55 Holes o Golf in a D f ay
ive D y k S Much More
Sam Thomas I will be doing a variety of Events and Challenges throughout 2022 to raise £10k for the amazing Rockinghorse Children’s Charity. SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
In Partnership with
CONNECT THROUGH SPORT 58 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
SBT
COVER FE ATU RE
PEOPLE MANAGEMENT & RECRUITMENT
WHAT’S NEW IN EMPLOYMENT LAW THIS YEAR?
BY HR DEPT
SBT PEOPLE MANAGEMENT & RECRUITMENT SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 59
What’s new in employment law this year? New Year, new legislation? Coronavirus may still dominate the headlines and continues to be a major focus for business owners, but we wanted to highlight some other important HR topics to stay abreast of in 2022. Pay increases
HR
Hopefully already on your radar, national minimum wage
(NMW) and national
living wage (NLW) rates will increase on 1st April as follows:
• NLW workers aged 23 or older from
•N MW first year apprentices or under19s from £4.30 to £4.81.
Several statutory pay rates including
maternity, paternity, adoption, shared
parental leave and parental bereavement pay will increase from £151.97 to £156.66 on 3rd April.
£8.91 to £9.50.
From 6th April, sick pay will rise from
£8.36 to £9.18, and for those aged 18-
redundancy weekly cap will also increase.
• NMW workers aged 21 and 22 from 20 from £6.56 to £6.83.
• NMW workers younger than 18 who are no longer compelled to attend school, from £4.62 to £4.81.
60 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
£96.35 to £99.35, and the statutory
Extra bank holiday
An additional bank holiday has been
announced for Friday 3rd June to mark
the Queen’s Jubilee, whilst the spring
bank holiday has moved to Thursday 2nd June this year, creating a long weekend.
The new bank holiday is not an automatic day off for everyone though and the
wording in your employment contracts will be the decider. Some employers
may like to acknowledge it as a goodwill gesture if it can work for the business. Start thinking about staffing now and
prepare for an influx of leave requests from those hoping for a longer break. Employer’s duty to prevent sexual harassment
P EOP L E MAN AGEM EN T & R ECR UITM E NT
Serena & Sue
amend sick pay for unvaccinated staff
should seek professional advice to avoid the risk of discrimination. Right to work checks
for pregnant workers and those on maternity leave.
Whilst the above is not an exhaustive
list, it should help you to remain aware
Digital right to work checks were
of the key HR topics that may affect your
the pandemic to ease delays to
year. If you have questions, do call us.
April, the change becomes permanent
The HR Dept is now the UK’s largest
will be available for employers
outsourced HR support. Our clients
care to protect their staff. The change
citizens. An existing online service will
brands, across all industries.
on employers to proactively prevent
on overseas applicants.
We pride ourselves on delivering cost-
statutory code of practice is expected to
The Employment Bill
HR solutions that leave you free to
temporarily introduced during
employment during lockdown. From
business and people management this
and government validation technology
network of HR professionals providing
Employers already have a duty of
conducting checks on British and Irish
vary, from tiny start-ups to established
due to come into effect places a duty
be available for right to work checks
sexual harassment in the workplace. A
effective employment law advice and
be launched as a guide.
The Employment Bill was announced
concentrate on growing your business.
Whilst it has not yet been confirmed
overshadowed by the pandemic.
Your local HR Dept Offices:
this year, business owners can prepare
2022 as a result of the bill include:
Eastbourne, Brighton and Hove
inclusivity in the workplace.
•T he right to request flexible working
serena.may@hrdept.co.uk
Vaccinations
•A right for workers to request more
that this change will come into effect
by encouraging a culture of respect and
Back to COVID-19 to share a reminder
that mandatory vaccinations have been
in 2019 but has been largely
Important changes that may occur in
Serena May
from day one.
01323 403500
predictable hours after 26 weeks of
Chichester, Arun, Worthing, Adur and
continued service.
Horsham
day one.
susan.beeby@hrdept.co.uk
announced as a condition of deployment
•O ne week of unpaid carer’s leave from
Sue Beeby
social care workers, as well as NHS
•A code of practice on fair and
01243 214404
from April for care home and health and workers, in England.
transparent distribution of gratuities
Employers in other industries looking
right to receive their tips in full.
to introduce a “no jab, no job policy” or
will see hospitality workers gain the •E xtended redundancy protections
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 61
C HA RI T Y
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 62 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
SBT MOTORING NEWS
REVEALED: UK DRIVERS CAUGHT SPEEDING EVERY 5 MINUTES
WITH RIVERVALE LEASING
FIAT 500E LA PRIMA CONVERTIBLE THE PERFECT ECO-FRIENDLY CITY CAR
SBT MOTORING NEWS SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 63
MOTO RI N G N E WS
Revealed: UK drivers caught speeding every 5 minutes In the UK, 3 out of 4 motoring offences (74%) are speeding crimes, according to the latest government data.
Police Constabulary Avon & Somerset 10% + 2 mph
City of London 10% + 2 mph
Cumbria 10% + 2 mph
Derbyshire 10% + 2 mph
Devon & Cornwall 10% + 2 mph
Durham 10% + 2 mph
Gloucestershire 10% + 2 mph
Humberside 10% + 2 mph
Kent 10% + 2 mph
North Yorkshire 10% + 2 mph
Essex 10% + 2 mph to 9 mph
Lancashire The figures are so
Motoring News
high today that UK
drivers are caught
speeding every five minutes. A massive
£226.5 million is collected from
speeding fines every year in Britain. Speeding might be the most popular
motoring offence, yet thousands of drivers still have questions about it. We reveal the most-asked speeding questions,
with answers from UK police forces and motoring expert Bud Johnston, Group Marketing Director at Rivervale.
How much can you go over the
speed limit? UK police forces reveal the answer
Google search data reveals that
Information requests to all 43 UK police constabularies, asking for the speed
camera activation threshold for devices under their authority.
Out of the 21 responses we received, 57% of police forces advised the threshold for speed cameras is 10% plus 2 mph.
This means that if you are driving in a 30 mph zone, you would activate a speed
camera if you were driving 35 mph. Or, if
you were speeding in a 40 mph zone, you
Declined to disclose information
Hampshire Declined to disclose information
Hertfordshire Declined to disclose information
Leicestershire Declined to disclose information
Northamptonshire Declined to disclose information
Northumbria Declined to disclose information
West Midlands
Other authorities explained that
Wiltshire
information couldn’t be disclosed to the
particular speed. Officers use their
Declined to disclose information
officers use their discretion, or that the
The devices aren’t set at any
public. Here are the complete results
own discretion when setting the
from our research.
More than half of UK drivers are
official answer? We sent Freedom of
given time
64 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
Bedfordshire
would meet the threshold at 46 mph.
6,000 people in the UK ask this
question every year - but what’s the
10% + 3 mph up to 9 mph
breaking the speed limit at any
threshold.
Lincolnshire + 2 mph up to 66mph and + 3% for all speeds higher than 66mph
MOTOR I NG N E WS
The government research also reveals that over half of British drivers (55%)
speed at any given time, on average. Drivers are most likely to break the law in
20 mph zones, with a huge 9 in 10 drivers (89%) found speeding on these roads.
This may be because 20 mph roads are often quieter, or drivers haven’t realised that the lower limit is in effect.
However, the 20 mph limit is usually in place for school zones where children are crossing, making it extremely
reveals that Sunday is the most popular
12,000 searches per year
56% of car drivers exceeding the limit
‘You’ll receive at least a £100 fine for
day for speeding, with an average of on any given road.
The top 5 most-asked speeding questions, answered
10,800 searches per year
Group Marketing Director at Rivervale.
speeding?
than not; the government statistics show
of cars travel with less than 2 seconds between them and the vehicle in front, which is against the DVLA’s advice.
Sunday is the most popular day for speeding
It appears that many illegal drivers try
to take advantage of quieter roads and
rack up more speeding points and fines at the weekend. Government research
speeding ticket?
resident motoring expert Bud Johnston,
45,600 searches per year
Our research found that 1 in 5 (19%)
their discretion.’
questions, with answers from our
to find out the most-asked speeding
30 mph roads also have more speeders
1 in 5 drivers break the ‘2-second rule’
police authority - it can be down to
4. How long does it take to get a
1. How many points do I get for
in these zones.
it could be more depending on the
We researched Google search data
dangerous if you choose to speed.
that 3 in 5 drivers (62%) break the limit
doing 40 in a 30 mph zone, however,
‘If you’re caught speeding, you’ll receive 3 points on your driving licence, at the very least. This can go up to 6 points,
depending on the severity of the offence.
‘A speeding ticket, which includes a
Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP)
and a Section 172 notice, will normally be sent to you within 14 days of the
speeding offence. You need to respond within 28 days by returning the Section
172 notice to confirm who was driving.’ 5. How long do speeding points last? 10,800 searches per year
The only way to avoid receiving points is if
you’re offered a speed awareness course.’ 2. How much is a speeding fine? 30,000 searches per year
‘A speeding fine will set you back a
minimum of £100, although this can go up to £2,500 if you take the matter to court and are found guilty.’
3. How much is a speeding fine for doing 40 in a 30?
‘Speeding points stay on your licence for 4 years.’
For more automotive news and studies, check out the Rivervale blog. Or if you’re looking for a new car, don’t
forget to browse our latest car leasing
deals available online now. Get in touch with our expert team today on 01273 433480, or request a callback at a time that suits you.
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 65
MOTO RI N G N E WS
Fiat 500e La Prima Convertible The perfect Eco-Friendly city car
La Prima means ‘the first’ in Italian, so it’s a fitting name for the limited edition trim version of Fiat’s first mass-produced electric car.
If you’re looking for
Motoring News
a compact city car
to whizz around town in, this is the one.
As well as seriously
cool retro good looks, the La Prima
Convertible offers a tight turning circle
and plenty of grip, but that’s not to say it can’t handle the pace of motorway
driving. Even with the roof down, the air cap on top of the windscreen is
designed to divert air over the heads of the driver and front passenger to ensure a comfortable drive.
This car is slightly bigger than its
predecessors, but it still only has three doors. And while it might not be able
to accommodate many passengers in
the back seats or store lots of luggage in the 182-litre boot, this small electric convertible still has plenty going for it.
66 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
What’s inside?
500-branded wall box charger. Be sure
Let’s take a closer look.
to stay informed about all the latest
Although this car looks retro from the
Drivers to ensure you don’t miss out on
book by its cover. Take a look inside to
with your EV!
with the Fiat 500 monogram and a host
The UConnect 5 infotainment system
a 10.3-inch touchscreen and built-in
and Android Auto. You can access the
outside, you should never judge a
find stylish eco-leather seats adorned
Update on Grants & Schemes For EV
an opportunity to get funding assistance
of other modern features including
is compatible with both Apple CarPlay
satellite navigation.
system from both inside and outside
This electric car is fitted with an
the temperature just right or set up the
the vehicle, which means you can get
impressive 87kW electric motor and
satellite navigation before getting in. The
delivering up to 199 miles of range. Best
closest available charging station.
system to restore 80% of the charge in
If you need a high driving position for
The fast charge system can give you 30
better, the adjustable steering wheel
car comes complete with a compact
in and out, while the driver’s seat offers
42kWh battery, so it’s capable of
of all, you can use the 85kW fast-charge
system can also help you to find the
just 30 minutes. Need a quick top-up?
better visibility, the 500e is perfect. Even
miles of range in only five minutes. The
can be moved both up and down and
MOTOR I NG N E WS
adequate support in all the right places.
The La Prima trim is on par with the top-
spec Icon trim, so you can expect height adjustable seating and a central armrest. You’ll also get rear parking sensors and the Eye Park Pack, which means more parking sensors along the front and
flanks, as well as a rear-view camera. For better nighttime driving visibility, the
500e La Prima includes LED headlights. For a safer driving experience, the car features Level 2 autonomous driving
features like lane-keeping assistance,
automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. New amazing features being added to relatively
averaged priced vehicles makes you
excited for the future right? Be sure to
check out The Most Promising Concept Cars to find out more about up and coming vehicles and features. What’s it like to drive?
Like any electric car, this vehicle lacks
engine noise. To warn pedestrians, the
surfaces. The car accelerates
play Amarcord by Nino Rota whenever
responsive steering. Perhaps most
500e La Prima Convertible is set up to
easily and holds the road well with
you’re driving at speeds up to 12mph.
importantly, it’s great fun to drive.
melody if you want the car to play
Who are its rivals?
You can even choose a different something else.
Similar options include the Smart
The car has three driving modes -
and Renault Zoe. The 500e is cheaper
is much like any other two-pedal
thanks to its desirability and appeal, it’s
Fortwo Electric Coupe, Mini Electric
Normal, Range and Sherpa. Normal
than many of its competitors and
automatic, whilst Range allows the
expected to hold its value pretty well.
using the accelerator. In Range, lifting
Conclusion
brings it to a standstill. Sherpa can be
an affordable all-electric convertible. It’s
it allows the driver to get the maximum
driving experience for city slickers and
driver to speed up or slow down just
off the throttle slows the car down and
The Fiat 500e La Prima Convertible is
used when the battery is running low -
practical, looks great and offers a fun
range by lowering throttle response
suburban drivers.
air-conditioning.
Want to know more about this car?
The drive feels solid and smooth on
discuss car leasing. Call us on 01273
although the short wheelbase can
time that suits you.
and turning off optional features like
motorways and dual carriageways,
Get in touch with Rivervale today to 433 480 or request a callback at a
make for a firmer ride on uneven
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 67
68 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
SBT NETWORKING & EVENTS
JACKIE’S NETWORKING ADVENTURES SPECIAL WITH COUNTY BUSINESS CLUBS
WHY NETWORKING IS LIKE GOING TO THE GYM BY NETWORK MY CLUB
WHY EXHIBITING YOUR BUSINESS PAYS DIVIDENDS…
WITH BRIGHTON & HOVE BUSINESS SHOW
SBT NETWORKING & EVENTS SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 69
N ETWORK I N G & E V E N TS
Jackie’s Networking Adventures Special
My Networking Adventures feature this month is all about collaboration and new partnerships. We have had an amazing start to the year, announcing new partnerships with Freedom Works, Best of British Events, Acumen Business Convention and many more. Networking & Events
Collaborate means
and working together with the local
community. Below is an overview of
County Business
new partnerships are so important to
2022 from our partners, for our readers
‘work together’ and Clubs’ core values
is about supporting
business community. That is why these us and the work we are trying to do, to genuinely create a collaborative
Best of British Partnership
Brighton, Gatwick, Eastbourne, London
announce our official partnership earlier
with great guest speakers, amazing
as Sussex Business Times and County
with so many of the Sussex business
some of the exciting events ahead in and members to get involved with.
team to support all of their events
We were absolutely delighted to
and Goodwood. They are synonymous
throughout 2022.
this month with Best of British Events
venues and truly fantastic events,
If you haven’t already booked your
Business Clubs Sussex become official
community in attendance.
to avoid missing out on any of these
media partners.
I have been fortunate enough to attend many of these events over the years in
70 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
Speaking with Sam, we feel truly
honoured and privileged to be working with Ryan Heal and the Best of British
tables then I’d advise you to do so ASAP amazing events.
Book here: https://bestofbritish.org. uk/public-events/
N ET WOR K I N G & E V E NTS Freedom Works Partnership So, early this month, Sam and I visited the amazing Freedom Works Ltd co-working space at the amazing Astral Towers in Manor Royal BID. Subsequently, we are delighted to announce that this will be the venue for our Partnership launch event on Thursday, February 24. When we met with the inspirational Jon Trigg and heard his vision for Freedom Works and their ethos around building a collaborative community, it aligned so much with County Business Clubs Sussex core values and we are so excited to launch the partnership bringing our two great communities together. We will be hosting monthly meet-ups across their Gatwick, Worthing and Hove sites on the last Thursday of the
month, 5-7pm, where our members will have the opportunity to meet and grow their network and contacts in a relaxed, friendly, informal environment.
a member of either community, then please join us for drinks and nibbles to find out more about how you can benefit from joining.
The great thing is that for all Freedom Works members and County Business Clubs Premium Members, these events will be completely FREE. (Just contact us for your offer code). If you are not
For more details and to book your space click here: https://www. eventbrite.co.uk/e/county-businessclubs-tickets-252368449827
two-minute video of the 2021 event to give you a flavour of the day: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=GT1vLd2uJHs
The 2022 convention is now on for June 8 at 10.30am to 17.30pm at The Grand in Brighton.
The convention is a not-for-profit event and is held to promote a different charity every year.
To secure your ticket for the 2022 event, click here www. acumenbusinessconvention.co.uk.
Acumen Business Convention After attending the 2021 convention, we were truly honoured when Penina Shepherd approached us to become media partners for this year’s event. The Acumen Business Convention is a prestigious annual business conference that has been going every year since 2010 (apart from 2020 for the reason that shall not be mentioned). Lunch, drinks, live entertainment, inspirational speakers TedTalkstyle, superb networking opportunities and many more surprises sparkled with Acumen magic. It is truly a great day with normally 300 business leaders in attendance. Here is a
We have more partnerships and collaborations to announce over the next few weeks and I am truly excited for the many networking adventures I have ahead in 2022. Hope you will join at some of these fantastic events.
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 71
N ETWORK I N G & E V E N TS
Why networking is like going to the Gym By Bradley Hatchett, Founder of Network My Club I regularly get asked;
Networking & Events
“why would I join a networking group,
when I could just pay to attend events as
and when I want?”
Of course, you can do that. But I wouldn’t recommend it.
Why? As it’s January, let’s break it down using a gym membership analogy.
Ask someone why they join a gym.
You’ll hear them reply; “to get myself
in shape,” “to make myself stronger,” “to make myself healthier” or “to improve myself.”
Now, change the word ‘myself’ to ‘my business’…
72 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
It might not make complete sense, but you
“To make myself stronger” = “to make
“To get myself healthier” = “to get my
Linked to the above, this isn’t about
get the idea. Let’s dive into it.
business healthier”
Improving the overall health of your
business through networking can be in several ways.
New business is an obvious way
of achieving that. But this starts by
increasing your close connections and network. Building partnerships with
referrers. Also, friendships with others you share common interests with.
These will all contribute to the goal of increasing new business
opportunities and thus making your business healthier.
my business stronger”
increasing the number of connections
made. It’s how you develop these new relationships.
Your approach to networking should be based around developing strong,
long-term relationships. The stronger the relationships, the stronger
position your business will be as
you grow an army of supporters, advocates, and clients.
You don’t go to the gym once and are able to lift ultra-heavy weights.
You shouldn’t go networking once and expect new business.
N ET WOR K I N G & E V E NTS Both require the need to build up your
strength (or strength in relationships) over time by being consistent.
“To get myself fitter” = “to get my business fitter”
People network for many reasons. We hear from members how they haven’t used membership just to grow their
network. But how they’ve learned from
others, shared business challenges and grown professionally.
Through networking they’ve built a
diverse and rich network from a range of industries, benefitting from advice and
insight relating to their expertise (whilst sharing theirs too).
Implement that shared wisdom into your business. Help it get ‘fitter.’
How do you maximise your time and the gym/networking?
There are other elements at the gym
that help you improve yourself. It’s not
just about stepping through the door or the equipment.
The same applies with networking. Training Partners
You will see regular faces at the gym.
And over time, you begin to get to know them. Eventually they may become your training partner.
In networking terms, think of these people as those you pass referrals to and receive referrals from. Your networking partners.
Most of our members realise new business not via direct new business, but from
referred business from others they’ve built relationships with.
Think, what industries do you pass
referrals to and/or receive referrals from?
They are your potential training partners.
Personal Trainers
Some people need
that extra motivation or accountability when it
comes to training or going to the gym, right?
Our members can view
our team as their personal trainers to help maximise their membership and
achieve their networking objectives.
This could include
facilitating introductions.
Bradley Hatchett
Suggesting good people for them to speak to.
It means being part of a network where
Marketing support outside of the events.
you all share the same beliefs and
However, we can’t do it all for you. You
approach is that of being supportive, open-
need to show up regularly. Diet
You may have heard the phrase that
20% is achieved in the gym and 80% is achieved by good nutrition.
Treat your diet in networking terms as what you do before and after an event.
Pre and post networking event activity
principles to networking. Ideally that
minded and collaborative, with a view to building long-term relationships.
Aren’t they the kinds of people you want to surround yourself with?
We all know those people that go to
the gym a few times and never go back because they don’t see results straight away. I see the same at networking.
are crucial to achieving results from
Surrounding yourself with the right
guest list before attending to following
and the chances of it working for you
your networking. From researching the
people with shared values of networking
up afterwards.
increase dramatically.
Think of networking as a sandwich. The
I often talk about networking success
the bread is what you do before and after.
It starts with your mindset. Get this right
event is the filling (the main attraction), but
starting before you’ve walked into a room.
It holds it together.
and the preceding points are easy and
It Starts With Mindset
become habits.
You may regularly hear the phrase
Now, go and start flexing those
‘network with like-minded businesses.’
networking muscles!
But doesn’t that sound a bit...
Start your journey to a healthier business
buzzwordy? What does it truly mean?
by joining the Network My Club family.
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 73
Why exhibiting your business pays dividends…
As the final preparations get under way for the 2022 Brighton & Hove Business Show, we discover what makes business exhibitions so worthwhile. Hundreds of
Networking & Events
businesses will
attend the Brighton & Hove Business
Show at The Amex
Stadium Brighton on June 23rd 2022.
Many will be visiting the event to make new connections and find great local suppliers. Others will be putting their
products and services in the spotlight with exhibition stands.
Among this year’s exhibitors are brands whose names are synonymous with
local networking events and business
expos. They have learned that face-toface marketing is one of the best ways
to showcase their unique selling points.
74 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
Showing others, in person, the benefits
their business delivers is easy when you have a captive audience.
The Brighton & Hove Business Show
brings everyone together in one place, on one day. It makes the process of promoting a business and what it
does more efficient and convenient.
With good footfall there are more and more opportunities to network and generate leads.
Mike Monk is a seasoned exhibition
& networking specialist. He has been
organising Expos for the past few years and explains: “Having an event like
this on your doorstep makes reaching
new customers easier. Our exhibitors
benefit from great exposure - without
having to travel too far from their base or spending a fortune.
“The key benefit is that the Brighton &
Hove Business Show raises the profile
of local brands and those who want to grow their business locally”. They can meet potential customers in person and demonstrate what they do and
how their services or products can be of benefit to other businesses. With opportunities to sponsor elements
of the show, take part in networking events and learn from inspirational,
industry-leading speakers, there is a lot going on to attract visitors.
N ET WOR K I N G & E V E NTS
Our workshops offer outstanding promotional opportunities. We
recommend that people visiting the
expo bring plenty of business cards - to ensure the connections they make can be followed up on.”
Brands opting to reserve a portion
of their marketing budgets to attend business expos benefit from online
promotion before, during and after the event. This further raises the profile of
exhibitors by putting their brand in front of new audiences. Getting exposure
on leading social networking platforms is important and can drive traffic to exhibitors’ profiles and websites.
Mike explains: “Business Exhibitions like the Brighton & Hove Business
Show have a ripple effect because they connect with people across multiple platforms.
With top keynote speakers and
business in the spotlight? Why not
section of industries, a business
Business Show on…
to drive growth in the local economy.
Thursday June 23rd 2022 10am to
seminars led by experts from a crossexhibition offers inspirational ideas
book a stand at the Brighton & Hove
Many of those attending free events
3pm at The Amex Stadium Brighton.
just grow their businesses but make
www.brightonandhovebusinessshow.uk
engagement, automation and digital
Connecting Businesses…
to learn from carefully chosen speakers.
To find out more call Mike Monk on
Of course, one of the biggest plus-
07885 490266 or email him mike@
are looking for innovative ways to not them more efficient. With customer
sales high on the agenda, there’s plenty
points of exhibiting your business at
01273 286133 or Mobile
brightonandhovebusinessshow.uk
this event is that it is great fun. You
get to meet new people in a relaxed
environment where everyone wants to connect and find out what you do.
Not exhibiting at the Brighton & Hove Business Show? You can attend
the event for free. Want to put your
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 75
“Connecting Businesses”
Thursday 23rd June 2022 from 10am to 3pm Venue: American Express Community Stadium, West Stand, Mayo Wynne Baxter and Gap Solutions Lounges, Village Way, Brighton BN1 9BL 76 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
SBT CHAMBER NEWS
SUSSEX CHAMBER ANNOUNCES ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH COUNTY BUSINESS CLUBS BY ANA CHRISTIE, CEO, SUSSEX CHAMBER
MEET A CHAMBER MEMBER: JULIA ALCAMO FROM HAPPENSTANCE FILMS BY HANNAH JACKSON
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 77
C HA M B E R N E WS
Sussex Chamber is pleased to announce its partnership with County Business Clubs by Ana Christie, CEO
78 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
CHAM BE R N E WS Over the last couple
Chamber News
of years, we have
developed stronger
working relationships with key partners
in the county. There has never been
a greater need to work together and support the business community.
I am extremely pleased to announce a new partnership with County Business Clubs
and the benefits this will bring to members from both organisations.
Chamber members will be able to
access FREE County Business Clubs Premium Membership for 3 months, having access to Discovery Calls,
redeem discounts on exclusive offers, create a personal profile on their
platform, forum access, networking,
access to their marketplace, a Chamber members-only group and forum. There will be reduced fees to join the County
Business Club membership. A reduced
rate of £9.99 a month (normally £14.00)
or Business Plus Membership of £19.99
per month instead of the normal £29.99. In return County Business Clubs
Members will benefit from a 50%
discount on any of our membership
levels (excluding the joining fee of £60) in the first year of joining Sussex Chamber, as well as accessing events and training courses at member rates.
This collaboration will allow businesses
to grow their networks more widely and
support the Sussex business community. Sussex Chamber of Commerce is part of an Accredited network of
52 Chambers in the UK and over
75 globally. Each one is unique and
designed to serve the best interests of
its members and the locality through a
range of valuable benefits and services. We amplify our business voice and
influence at national level through the British Chambers of Commerce.
We are the only business
membership organisation
that helps British businesses build relationships on every level. We connect your
business locally, nationally
and internationally, with other businesses, with decision-
makers and with opportunities. We are also a highly respected voice for business as our
opinions are regularly sought. The Chamber sits at the
heart of the local business
community helping businesses of very size and sector thrive. Our membership team work
with businesses from SME’s to
Ana Christie
multi-nationals to ensure they
get access to the best possible
business support. Our services can raise your profile, cut your costs and provide links to our close network of influential
business leaders. We drive change from the ground up, helping companies,
places and people achieve their potential. There are plenty of reasons to being a member.
Our vision is to support business growth and drive sustainable economic growth in Sussex. We do this by:
• Grow - open the door to new
business opportunities and business
growth – through free and discounted networking events, sector-based forums, sponsorship, free and
discounted support services (HR, legal, H&S, finance, tax, healthcare), member to member offers, referral scheme,
news blogs, editorial in our Business Edge magazine, a mental health
service as well as providing support on net zero and sustainability.
• Develop - increase skills and
knowledge to develop a brighter and
better future – through our discounted training courses, and developing a
business led local skills improvement plan to ensure training meets the needs of business.
• Discover - unearth export and
import prospects as well as local and global growth – by providing services in customs declarations, export
documentation, transit documentation, translation services, foreign exchange
and links to British Chambers overseas. • Influence – our campaigns and have a voice at local and national events –
surveys and polls, as well as interactive discussions, obtaining feedback
through the quarterly economic surveys and liaising with local authorities and MPs locally and nationally.
This collaboration will bring the business community together, ensuring they have access to experts, a local supply chain,
as well as updates and insights on doing business locally, nationally or globally. Visit our website and https://www. sussexchamberofcommerce.
co.uk/membership or contact our
membership team on 01444 259259 to find out more.
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 79
C HA M B E R N E WS
Meet a Chamber member: Julia Alcamo from Happenstance Films by Hannah Jackson
Hannah Jackson,
Chamber News
Membership &
Marketing Executive
at Brighton Chamber talks to Julia Alcamo
of Happenstance Films as part of
Brighton Chamber’s Meet a Chamber
member series, interviewing members to find out more about their business, who inspires them, and who they’re working with.
Hi Julia, can you tell us a little about who you are and what you do?
I’m Julia, Co-founder of Happenstance Films. We’re a Brighton-based
production company, making films for brands, non-profit organisations and
charities, but what makes us different is we take a documentary approach
to all of our work. We love the format because it taps into what audiences
80 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
want these days, which is really
meaningful content - we love bringing that to the branded world.
What does Happenstance mean?
It’s a lucky or happy coincidence. It’s the moment you run into something,
and it falls into place. But that doesn’t happen in a predictable way. Because we’re documentary filmmakers we’re
reliant on making the most out of our environment, but we can’t predict
what happens - we’re always there to
capture those happenstance moments. How important is branded documentary for businesses, and how does it differ from other filming formats?
The way that we approach stories is
different. Rather than responding to a
brief, we love to go out and search for stories first. Then we collaborate with
brands or non-profits and bring the story together with their brand.
It’s a bit of a risk, asking them to trust us in the process of making that film
- documentary isn’t scripted. We put everything we can in place to make
sure everyone’s happy with where the
film’s going, but we work with real life, capturing moments as they happen. How do you find stories?
We actively immerse ourselves in
places where we might encounter
stories. We talk about a Ven diagram we like to work with: the brand and
being on message, the audience, and
the film being culturally relevant. In the big picture, does this make sense to
do right now? Those three really need
to overlap, and that’s where your best story lies.
CHAM BE R N E WS open call through the arts marketing association.
We needed a partner as
this was a film and social
media package. We don’t do social, but we were suited to the film side, and I’d just received
Kerry’s contact from
Social for Good from
Amy at the Chamber. I jumped on the phone
and said do you want to do this together? We hit it off immediately, the pitch was successful
and we’re now working
on the project. It’s been
lovely collaborating with
Kerry, we work in similar ways but work on such different things, and
I think it’s lovely that
Chamber is a place for
You joined the Chamber not too
you’ve been working with a few
members?
tell us a bit more about those projects?
long ago, what’s your advice to new Don’t just see it as a place to find
customers, but as a place where you
can find collaborators and people who
can inspire you. It’s a wonderful way to meet a bunch of different people doing different things, but who’re equally invested in helping each other.
Being a new business, the training
has been valuable. You can commit
a to a morning event, get a few hours to workshop, learn and chat through
questions. From a business point of view, they’ve been really valuable sessions.
And be there at the events! Pick things that are interesting to you, it makes
the networking easy. Moshimo was a
wonderful breakfast, it felt like a chinwag – easy to connect with people and interesting to be somewhere new.
You mentioned that the Chamber is
a place to collaborate, and we know
that – I’ve met a lot of
Chamber members recently. Can you
like-minded individuals.
One of the projects we’ve done recently
And lastly, could you tell us a fun or
They’re a brilliant team and they’ve
I picked up ballet again two years
the pandemic. We were looking to
dancing for 15 years, and I’m
campaign for Mastercard and Pollinate.
wonderful place to be doing ballet
They gave us full access to film with
to point now which is exciting - and
wonderful interview with their founder,
do at 28!
met drag queen Ruffles, and the lindy-
To find the full interview with Julia, head
was a winner in the global competition,
up-to-date with the latest news, events
featured on the Mastercard Priceless
signing up to our mailing list.
is with local distillery Brighton Gin.
interesting fact about yourself?
had the most amazing resilience during
ago as an adult after having stopped
collaborate with a small business on a
absolutely loving it! Brighton is a
them for a couple of days, capturing a Kathy Caton. We got out on their e-bike,
again as an adult. I’m starting back on which someone should probably not
hoppers of Brighton. Our 3-minute film
over to brightonchamber.co.uk. And stay
so that’s been really exciting. It’ll be
and updates from Brighton Chamber by
website and distributed on their
channels, so we’re happy to have
Brighton Gin out there far and wide -
and hopefully make the distillery bigger so people can buy more gin!
Another project I’m working on is an
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 81
C HA M B E R N E WS
82 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
SBT SPORT
HOVE RUGBY - A CLUB FOR THE COMMUNITY
A CATCHUP WITH GERALDINE BROWN, CHAIR AND FORMER PLAYER
SWIMMING IN THE SEA…
IT’S GOOD FOR YOU...ISN’T IT?!
TO BOO...OR NOT TO BOO
THAT IS THE QUESTION?!
HURSTPIERPOINT COLLEGE
RECOGNISING THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL VALUE OF SPORT
SBT SPORT SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 83
S PORT
Hove Rugby - a club for the community
Earlier this month, I managed to catch up with Hove Rugby Club’s Chair and former player, Geraldine Brown, who told me about the club’s history and shared information about plans for the future.
It all began in 1933,
Sports
when Territorial Army officers and men of
the Sussex Yeomanry formed a rugby club
affiliated to the Rugby Football Union and after the second world war, they played their home matches at East Brighton Park.
In 1952 the Yeomanry realised they
could no longer continue without new players, so the members approached the then Mayor of Hove, Alderman
Arthur Brocke together with Councillor Jack Woolley, and secured a pitch in
Hove Park where the old timber Scout Hut was refurbished with the usual
facilities we take for granted today. By the early 60s, the Club had expanded its membership to allow for four teams
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and in those early years, reportedly
gained a reputation for being a very ‘social’ Club, regularly providing
entertainment for the opposition through the refreshment of the now defunct Watney’s Red Barrel!
After spending many years at Hove
Park, the Club looked at various sites
to enable their expansion on and off the
pitch to continue. These included Benfield Valley and the Neville playing fields, both of which were initially rejected by the
Council. Then, completely out of the blue, an opportunity presented itself to move
to Hove Recreation Ground, but it wasn’t until the Brighton and Hove Councils merged that it was able to become a
reality. Eventually the Club moved the
short distance to Hove Rec ready for the start of the 2002–2003 season, where it
resides today. The building of new facilities
and the provision of four pitches at one location gave the Club what it needed
to break out from the lower levels of the
English structure and to enable it to look to the future. The new Clubhouse was opened by the Mayor of Brighton and
Hove in August 2002, which coincided with the Club’s 50th anniversary.
Today Hove prides itself on being a community club which focuses
on working to deliver a great rugby
experience for everyone. Having recently expanded to cover girls’ rugby, the Club are able to provide all ages and genders the opportunity to play, including their newly reformed veterans team. With
three men’s sides competing in RFU and the Sussex leagues and three women’s teams, Geraldine is delighted the Club
are now seeing third generation players coming through, however there is so
S PO RT
much more to a successful club than just the players. “We have been working on increasing the number of volunteers in
the club (we are completely volunteer run) and also expanding how the club can be used to support the wider community.” With the Club proud of it’s standing in
the community, I asked Geraldine about the importance of both youth rugby and women’s rugby at Hove. “Youth and
Women’s rugby are integral to Hove, as
we were one of the first clubs in Sussex to start a youth section and have had a women’s team for over 30 years! This
year we started a third women’s team and the first team play at the level below the
premiership. My involvement with the club comes from being a player and when I
became Chair six years ago, I was one of the first female chairs in the country.”
Having reported on neighbours Brighton Blues in a previous role a good few
years back and with the teams playing in different leagues, I was eager to find out
if there existed a genuine rivalry between
the two local clubs. Particularly as at one time, there was even the suggestion that both clubs amalgamate, following the
construction of the Brighton (A27) bypass, reportedly allowing Brighton to become cash rich after their move to Waterhall!
“Our first ever game as Hove Rugby Club was against Brighton on 20
September 1952, losing 32-3, with
the Man of the Match being Scottish
international Charlie McDonald playing for Brighton. We fondly call Brighton
the club over the hill given how close the clubs are geographically as the
crow flies, but in the main both clubs
get along well with a recent joint event when the President of the RFU was
down for the RFUs 150th Celebration. The focus of the rivalry has abated
in the club over the past few years,
on the men’s side there is always an interest in who wins when we get
matched against each other. Coming
from the female side of the game there isn’t a rivalry as Brighton don’t have a women’s section.”
One of the biggest challenges facing
the club today and in the future is that they are a victim of their own success and are running out of space to fit in all their members. Providing rugby
for all age groups from five-year-olds through to a newly reformed men’s
Veterans team means an increase on
the playing side, meaning on Sundays
they even need to separate the training
throughout the day in order to continue to give a high-quality rugby experience
“We offer a range of sponsorship
opportunities for local businesses
to get involved with the club. These can be anything from maintenance to financial support. Some of our
sponsors are dentists, lettings agents and local accountants. With such a
large membership, we have number of members who operate their own
businesses, and we try to get them involved as much as we can when sourcing contractors. We offer a
large amount of promotion as part of
sponsorship where businesses can have their logo displayed on kit, flags, the
clubhouse and on social media. There continues to be great opportunities to expand our business network and we have recently made the move to start using the club house for local events and functions.”
Hove RFC undoubtedly has a great future ahead and working with the
community has certainly helped with their success. Providing rugby for
everyone is the way forward and clubs like Hove are a great example of why
rugby in Sussex will continue to go from strength to strength.
to all their players.
As always, sports clubs across the county need the support of local
businesses and Hove are no exception.
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 85
S PORT
Swimming in the sea...It’s good for you...Isn’t it?? Like many people over the last couple of years, being largely couped up and slightly reticent to return to socialising/networking on a regular basis, one of my New Year’s resolutions was to get out and try something different. I have always
Sports
regarded the idea
of entering the sea to swim for fun as complete lunacy,
particularly at this time of year, when
it’s ridiculously cold even standing on the beach watching the waves gently
breaking on the shore. For me, the only acceptable exception is during the
summer as a small child, or preferably
in the warm crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean or Caribbean!
Fast forward then to January 2022 and
after realising that several of my friends
and work acquaintances take the plunge on a regular basis, and swear that it’s
86 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
good for them, yours truly has decided to find out what all the fuss is about.
After initiating some light research into what my friends find so appealing, the most apparent common denominator was that sea swimming is a great
way to begin your day. “It makes me
feel great, kick starts the system and gives me a massive adrenaline shot in the morning.” Others offered that
it’s a great booster for your immune
system, helps with aching limbs as a
form of pain relief, builds resilience and provides a sense of freedom – “it’s the most energising thing I’ve ever done.” However, despite my heart and my
head telling me it would be a lot easier
to have a cold shower, the overriding
factor to support this seemingly insane
idea of getting up early to go swimming in the freezing cold English Channel is that it’s excellent for your mental
health. I for one, need this boost and
undoubtedly, we could all probably do with a lift in one form or another.
Encouraged by additional comments that it’s also a great stress reducer,
helps with sleep and enables you to
feel like you can take on anything that life throws at you, I set the date and time for my debut dip.
However, there still remained the small matter of establishing the best advice
S PO RT then for a newbie like me, i.e., what to
wear and how to prepare for what was increasingly likely to be a huge shock
to my body!! After all, it was going to be bloody cold and there’s no lifeguard! Firstly, the gear then; with the
advice that you need to protect your
extremities, I hastily ordered a rather
snug fitting swimming cap that makes me look like I’ve been subjected to a rather shoddy facelift, neoprene
swimming boots/socks and gloves, a
flask for a hot drink and plenty of warm clothing. (It was recommended that the game changer is a dry robe…but at
£100 plus I held fire for now – after all I might hate it!).
Additionally, it was recommended that I partake of a brief cold shower every
morning to train for the inevitable shock to the system heading my way! If that was anything to go by, I was certainly going to be squealing like a baby!
Further crucial tips included letting
someone know where you’re going
and when you’ll be back, though the
stronger advice was to not go alone.
Also, to keep an eye out for hazards,
don’t go too far from the shore to avoid being disorientated, know the area and
be aware of what the tides are doing.
The last piece of advice was one that, when it came to taking the dip, I wish
I’d taken more notice of! Namely, build
up your resilience, starting with no more than three to four minutes in the water on my first visit.
The day of reckoning arrived, and I’d agreed to join my good friend, Guy
Lloyd (who’s been sea swimming for
three years) on Brighton beach just off Madeira Drive at 6.45am. It was dark, with a stunning sunrise appearing on the horizon, however what surprised
me was how many other people there
were, in various groups or on their own doing the same thing - I counted at
least fifteen! Guy was late and already
being nervous, I decided to brave it on my own. Stripped off and donning the appropriate protection, I took my first few careful steps…when a freezing
wave nearly sent me flying! I simply decided to get on with it, dived in,
swam around for about a minute or
two and began to get out just as Guy
appeared. I went back in with him for a few more minutes and then started to come out again. Feeling like it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be, I happily returned to the water,
again for another two. BIG MISTAKE! I
definitely should have stayed out after
the second visit because what ensued was a delayed reaction from my body!
Whilst hastily attempting to get dressed, I encountered uncontrollable shaking and shivering, fell over on the stones trying to take my wet boots off and
found it so incredibly cold that I could hardly get my flask open to imbibe a
much-needed hot drink! If you’ve ever attempted this when you’re freezing
cold, (being tall and skinny) picture a giraffe with the DT’s, juggling!!
Eventually, with layers of clothing back
in place, and teeth continually chattering away like a crazed monkey, I made my way to the car and sat there with the heater on full blast at twenty-seven degrees for at least half an hour!
So, how did I feel? My overriding
emotion was one of being invigorated
with a great sense of release (I hope that wasn’t as a consequence of losing bowl
control!?) …will I do it again? Absolutely,
just allow me a couple of days to recover and next time I won’t stay in so long! Special thanks for their advice and
contributions go to Ellie Talebian, Guy
Lloyd, Lisa Ollerton and James Johnson.
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 87
S PORT
To boo…or not to boo, that is the question?!
Over the last year or so, I’ve noticed a gradual increase in supporters’ audible condemnation of their team’s or specific player’s performance and I’m not just talking at football where it appears most prevalent. General voicing of
Sports
disapproval can
be heard at tennis, cricket (booing of Australians David
Warner and Steve Smith for being
found guilty of ball tampering), and
even Formula One with Lewis Hamilton being jeered after a controversial
first lap incident with eventual World Champion Max Verstappen at the British Grand Prix.
But is it acceptable? The simple answer is yes IF you’re trying to intimidate the opposing team or player, but as any
true sports fan knows, often this has the
opposite effect and normally only serves to galvanise the opposition into giving an extra ten or twenty per cent.
Is it worth it then to boo your own
team, like Brighton fans after a recent 0-0 draw with Leeds? Does it make
sense to use this potentially harmful expression of discontent against
someone you support? Some will
argue that you pay your entry ticket and, in many cases, have some
form of hospitality, at let’s face it,
exorbitant prices, so surely have the
right to express what they think of the entertainment/performance!
Booing is largely based on frustration and anger and a chance for fans to display
their utter contempt for a team or player’s failure. Acceptable if said professional
sportsperson doesn’t appear to be giving their all for the cause and amplified by
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knowledge of the vast sums that they
earn compared to what most of us can
only fantasise about. However, if they’ve performed out of their skins and clearly
put in 110%, then I for one think booing is completely unacceptable.
At last year’s Euro 2020 tournament,
much was written about England fans
booing players taking the knee in their stand against racism and I’m certainly not going to defend this or use this
platform to discuss this, but suffice it
to say I’m absolutely delighted, along
with most self-respecting citizens that
any booing of the players’ stand against racism has dissipated, having been
significantly replaced by unanimous applause and support.
Therefore, is booing something that
needs to be eradicated, or do we as fans and professional sports people
themselves just have to accept it as
part and parcel of the game. I certainly don’t think it’s going away anytime
soon and clearly deserved if someone is not ‘sweating blood’ for the cause but a line must be drawn when it
becomes vitriolic and personal abuse,
particularly if it’s nothing to do with the sport in question.
However, in closing, spare a thought for the booing/abuse that is directed at the referees, umpires and match officials. No? Okay, maybe we’ll save that
discussion for another time and don’t even get me started on VAR!
S PO RT
Hurstpierpoint College - Recognising the physical and mental value of sport Rob Kift, Director of Sport at Hurst College, speaks to Sussex Business Times about his department’s continuing drive to ensure that each pupil develops a lifelong love of sport. “In 2020, we were
Sports
delighted to win the
Sporting Achievement Award in the
Independent Schools
of the Year, because of our focus for
recognising the physical and mental value of sport and sharing the benefits with the wider community, including the children of key workers during lockdown.
The physical and mental wellbeing
of pupils is central to Hurst’s sports
offering and equal attention is given to those who simply want to participate, as well as the elite performers. The
ambition is to create an activity diet
that engages all pupils in an enjoyable,
challenging and meaningful way, through traditional team and individual sports
and outdoor pursuits, and to encourage a healthy, active lifestyle. We also offer a unique player welfare programme, with qualified physiotherapists who triage, monitor injuries and support rehabilitation in conjunction with
strength and conditioning coaches. Our philosophy has always been the importance of sport for all, which
not only includes our own students
and staff, but also other schools and
organisations in our local community.
and utilise our facilities to their best
programme of development play a
be in year group bubbles added to the
of activities, creating community initiatives
introduction of temporary facilities such
has forged strong links with maintained
house aerobics and spin classes. Whilst
as well as being a hub for Surrey Storm
suspended, more in house competitions
Our extensive facilities and a sustained
advantage. The requirement for them to
significant role in providing a broad range
problem, but we overcame this with the
and hosting sports events. The college
as a golf driving range and a marquee to
schools by hosting development days,
matches against other schools were
Netball South and Sussex County Cricket
were introduced as an alternative.
Rugby Development Programme and the
Under normal circumstances, our
academies, a feeder for the Harlequins base for Sussex Hockey.
carefully crafted development programme
With the unprecedented circumstances
regional and national competitions and
Department responded to the unique
along the way. We continually strive to
implementing alternative ways of
breadth and inclusivity of our sporting
a comprehensive programme, including
and commitment of our talented hard-
workers. As such, people became much
develops a lifelong love of sport and
has consistently delivered success at
surrounding Covid-19, the Sports
also taught pupils important life skills
challenges of remote learning by
establish a reputation for the quality,
engagement and successfully delivered
provision, but also for the passion
on-site options for children of key
working team who ensure that each pupil
more aware of their physical and mental
physical activity.
providing daily coaching videos online
This summer we will organise a London
get involved physically.
many local schools the chance to
wellbeing while we remained proactive, so that our pupils were encouraged to
The priority has been for pupils to be outside in the fresh air as much as
possible, challenging us to be inventive
School’s Athletic Day which will give
compete and experience sport at Hurst.” For further information please call 01273 836937 www.hppc.co.uk
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 89
Hosted by:
Sam Thomas & laurence elphick
This podcast converses with the great and the good from the world of sport and business about …. Well sport in Sussex, from FootGolf to fencing, from wakeboarding to weightlifting and everything in between. Discussing with guests what makes them tick and why business and sport go hand in hand Sponsored by
Listen on
County Business Clubs Content Hub
LISTEN
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WATCH
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SBT ASK THE EXPERT
HOW PROCESS DOCUMENTATION CREATES A HIGH PERFORMING BUSINESS BY MAP YOUR PROCESS
THE POWER OF LISTENING SKILLS
IF WE ALL LISTENED MORE, I’M SURE THERE WOULD BE LESS CONFLICT IN THE WORLD
SBT ASK THE EXPERT SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 91
AS K T H E E X PE RT
How Process Documentation creates a high performing business Businesses often consider process mapping, business process management, and associated improvements as ‘big business’ solutions that are either inappropriate or simply unaffordable for most smaller companies. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Companies of all sizes
Ask the Expert
cannot only benefit from documenting their business
processes but receive
immediate rewards for doing so.
Understanding exactly how your key business processes are performed
can provide great insight into how the overall business operates. Acting on
those findings can actually be easier in a smaller company that is more agile
in its decision making and subsequent actions. Specialist mapping software
has also become far more affordable,
offering the opportunity of ‘big business’ solutions to organisations of any size. The most immediate benefit from
documenting your processes is to
92 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
create clarity and begin to instill
consistency in your ways of working. Process maps allow you to find out how tasks and activities are truly
executed within the business. This is because how people think they
are performed, how they should be performed, or even how you want
them to be performed rarely align with the current real-life way of working
(also known as the “as-is process”). If the as-is process has not been
examined and documented, there
is a risk that assumptions are being
made that distort the true picture of operational efficiency and risk.
This understanding of the current state helps to inform and create consistent
ways of working. Inconsistent business
processes lead to unmanaged risks, the provision of unbilled services to
customers, and inefficient decisionmaking, to name but a few of the
challenges that arise. Consistent working
methods eliminate confusion, ensure that risks are correctly managed, and help customers receive the same product/ service no matter who is providing it.
Meaningful process documentation shouldn’t just be about boxes and
arrows, or text-heavy documentation that simply gathers dust. Process documentation is the gateway to
delivering tangible improvements in
your business. Process management helps businesses to make quicker,
informed decisions as they can base them on facts and not anecdotal
evidence or unfounded assumptions.
ASK T H E E XPE RT
With that in mind, let’s look at some of the other ways it can help drive
transformative outcomes in SMEs: Remove key person dependencies. This is where processes are only
‘mapped’ in the heads of a number
of key employees. If they become ill
or leave the company suddenly, that
knowledge is not only inaccessible but may have been lost permanently. Identify inefficiencies and duplication of effort.
With documented processes, opportunities for streamlining them become evident. Duplication of effort and the presence
of non-value adding activities are swiftly identified and eliminated.
Reduce processing costs.
Many businesses do not know
what it costs to deliver their service or product. Transparent business
processes allow you to calculate that cost, as well as address the cost of errors and other inefficiencies.
Understand and manage risk points. By understanding where risk exists, you can also ensure the relevant controls
and escalations are put in place. Risks
that may not otherwise be apparent can remain uncontrolled and unmitigated.
Build a base for change.
are most often asked to address as
date process documentation can
come from simply having effective
The availability of accurate, up-to-
well as some of the opportunities that
have a hugely beneficial impact on
process documentation.
around exactly what is being changed
About Map Your Process
misinformation – with workarounds
specific expertise or find it difficult to
and in extreme cases, fail to deliver the
day-to-day business requirements to
project management. A lack of clarity can lead to missed information – or
Many businesses either lack the
required once the project has finished
regularly free-up resources from the
intended benefits.
look at process improvement. At Map
Create effective staff training
to help them identify and deliver these
Your Process, we work with our clients
Having agreed, accessible processes in
opportunities to create high performing
forms part of a new starters training.
often starts with us helping them
training within a business, allowing
independence means that we can
absence or busy periods for teams.
create a clear view of their ways of
Prepare for sale.
documentation in place, we will work
place quickly builds up a resource that
businesses. A typical engagement
They can also be used to drive cross-
to document their processes. Our
additional cover in instances of staff
approach this objectively, and quickly working. If a client already has quality
Our research shows that businesses
with this and help them to begin to
in place may expect a reduction in
Our clients have ranged in size from
cases, it can result in the business
well as being across multiple sectors.
desired timescale, because buyers want
If you would like to find out more
of one or two individuals.
then please contact us at
This is not an exhaustive list but
or on 01403 458138.
without clearly defined processes
drive out improved ways of working.
valuation of up to 20%. In the worst
three to over a hundred employees, as
owner not being able to exit within their to buy the business, not the knowledge
about how we can help your business, enquiries@mapyourprocess.co.uk
highlights some of the challenges we
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 93
AS K T H E E X PE RT
The power of listening skills Sadly, Listening Skills are not taught at school and unless your profession requires it or you have personal interest, you might never really learn how to listen properly. Or at least understand the power of it.
Yet, if we all listened
Ask the Expert
more, I’m sure there
would be less conflict in the world.
Before you can start listening, you
need to be aware of potential barriers. From external distractions like looking at a phone, noise, sound which could
be music, but even what other people might be thinking, to perhaps more
distracting internal chat in your own
mind. Thinking of your agenda, having judgments about the person or what
they are saying, thinking that you know better, because ‘you’ve been there,
done that’ and so you know exactly
what is going on for the other person. Your state of mind and your own
problems can also distract you as can
your emotions if the topic has triggered strong response or reminded you of
something that happened in the past.
94 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
The truth, we can never fully
understand what someone is going though even if you have been in a similar situation yourself. And the
best you can do is to listen. Practice minimising any distractions and
remember that whenever you’re
opening a conversation that might be
difficult or emotional, make it about the other person. Not you.
Pay attention not only to the words
they’re saying but also to the emotions behind them. To trembling noise when they push back their tears. Listen out for pauses, not to fill them with your
own story but to understand that there is a lot of thinking going on. When you give someone space to talk, you’re
giving them the opportunity to hear
their own story. This might be the first time to they are able to say what they need from start to finish and make
sense of what is going on. Interrupting them, by proving solutions or giving
advice, as you can see, might not be as helpful as we’d like.
To help you not jump in with your own story, ask questions to find out more
but also to clarify the information you’ve just heard. Ask open questions which
encourage fuller answers, not just one word ‘yes’ or ‘no’. And then…. listen.
If there is a long silence and the other person asks, why are you not saying
anything, simply tell them that you’re giving them time and space to think and say what’s on their mind.
If I could choose the most important
message, it would be: You don’t need
to have an answer for everything. Just
listening to someone without judgment can make a massive difference.
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2022
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ENG
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52x52
ON
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Follow the unique journey of Starr Trust Founder & Chairman Rob Starr, whilst he takes on an extreme year long challenge - an Olympic Distance Triathlon every week for 52 weeks in 2022!
1500 metre swim
40 kilometre bike ride
10 kilometre run
per week! Scan to follow blog
Businesses, we need your support! To find out more about upcoming events and ways to get involved with the Starr Trust, please get in touch: tracey@starrtrust.com
Raising funds for:
96 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
removing Roadblocks For young people.
starrtrust.org
