SBT issue 461

All business is symbiotic in nature. You can be inspiring your peers one day, learning from them the next. In the end, people buy people. That makes sharing our stories the most compelling way to connect with one another.

What’s needed is a platform to embrace and empower our regional business ecosystem. Where varied backgrounds and perspectives provide new context. Harnessing potential, enabling growth. And at the heart of it, a dedicated term of curators unlocking insights for the good of us all.

So we’re changing the way people think of connecting. Because we believe in self-reflection, rather than self-promotion. By demystifying the art of storytelling, we deliver authentic thought leadership through events, publishing and broadcast media.

We come together to discover, share and grow. But we won’t be limited by geography, or our imagination. Instead, we’ll seek out local leaders, visionaries and experts, wherever great businesses thrive. Growing communities, in partnership with the businesses that power them. And nurturing the enterpreneurial spirit in everyone.

SBTWelcome

Welcome to another issue of SBT

The start of a new year is always a good point to re-assess priorities and goals.

In uncertain economic times, you may be tempted approach such appraisals with a bit of trepidation. It can be all too easy to sense the negatives and hit the pause button on plans for growth. But, as featured in this issue of SBT, downturns are often one of the best times to invest.

We hear from financial experts who explain, if you’ve got a great idea, finance is available to make it happen right now. Sound good?

In a similar vein, our cover story looks at the rise and rise of Rubix VT. This is a fascinating feature that highlights the importance of never giving up on an idea or aspiration. With the right people supporting you, anything is possible!

If you are looking to be inspired - let’s face it, January isn’t the most ‘feel good’ month of the year - take a look at the truly motivational comments in a roundup of Series 3 of the County Business Talks podcast. There are business leaders who have overcome horrific incidents to find the real positives in life and others who firmly believe that putting people at the heart of everything you do will pay dividends. Feeling a bit low and think you need to start looking after yourself? There are some wise words on that topic too.

If you are looking to expand your network of connections this year, Network My Club stands ready to equip you with insider tips - thanks to its brand new weekly newsletter, The Networker.

Don’t forget to read the Legal section - features written by trusted experts on pressing business issues that could

save you a fortune, not to mention sleepless nights.

A new year always brings fresh challenges, but it also presents opportunities. That gap in the market, a collaboration, new partnership... Whatever that opportunity is, it holds the potential to not only see you through the ‘on’, ‘off’ recession but set you up for greater things to come.

That old adage that as one door closes another opens is true - and more often than you may think.

So, with positivity and the entrepreneurial spirit in mind, think of this issue of the Sussex Business Times as your window to what 2023 could shape up like for you.

Here’s to a successful year.

Sam Thomas, Managing Director

Cover 461

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

Monthly News Fox&Bear marks its 10th anniversary with an acquisition, a new health and wellbeing centres opens and more news from across Sussex.

Tips on how to maximise your dilapidations claim from Mayo Wynne Baxter. 365 Employment Law tackles the pressing issue of strikes and how they may effect your staff. Caroline Watkins, of EMW Law, writes about the benefits of equality in the legal profession. Cognitive Law discusses how to get your business in good legal shape.

Finance Plus

- Savvy Ferments.

Club launches The Networker weekly newsletter, re-launch of The Property Professionals Lunch, Big Business Breakfast Club latest and news about the seminar timetable for Brighton & Hove Business Show.

Yeoman shares information about a limited release sparkling red wine from a local producer. 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.

Acquisition of advertising and branding agency marks next stage of growth

Leading Brighton-based marketing agency Fox&Bear is celebrating its tenth year of trading with the acquisition of a third marketing agency, Mineral Creative.

Monthly News

Bringing this highly talented and successful creative agency onboard will strengthen Fox&Bear’s fast-growing Design and Branding department.

Mineral Creative join the business with a wide-ranging roster of clients including global brands, SMEs and charities.

Formed in 2013 through a highly successful collaboration between James Dempster and Tim Cobb, of Eastbourne based CobbPR, Fox&Bear is now embarking on the next stage of its growth.

James Dempster, Managing Director and Co-Founder at Fox&Bear said: “Today, we are delighted to announce that we have

purchased a leading advertising agency to help push us on to the next level.

“Over the past ten years I have found that employing experts in each role has been a recipe for happy clients. This is the third acquisition that I’ve undertaken and is a proven way to grow whilst maintaining our culture of delivering excellent work.

“At Fox&Bear we believe in telling stories powered by data. We live in a time that pushes data and insight on us at every turn, but without powerful creative this means nothing.”

Fox&Bear’s team of 18 highly skilled and super-motivated marketers have been joined by the creative team of Ben Harrison, Chris Jewell, Gemma Hill, John Sim and Jenny Sefton,

formerly at Mineral Creative.

Ben Harrison, Director at Mineral Creative, said: “We’re thrilled to be joining forces with Fox&Bear. Chris Jewell and I founded Mineral nearly eleven years ago to offer clients big agency expertise with boutique levels of customer service. In Fox&Bear we’ve found a team that really shares our values and can offer our clients services we don’t offer, and vice versa. We’re excited for the future.”

Fox&Bear brings together expertise in digital marketing, public relations, strategy, design, branding and analytics, to create cunning campaigns and deliver them fiercely.

To find out more, please visit: https://foxbear.co.uk/

New health and wellbeing centre opens at FOUNDRY

201 will offer one-to-one and group drop-in sessions, led by

health nurses.

The idea for the centre came about after the team at VMC noticed a gap in the service provided for mental health and wellbeing.

Monthly News

Over the past year, the social practitioners at the practice have become increasingly busier with those looking for help, advice and even just someone to talk to. The team wanted to create a designated safe space for those looking for support.

Room 201 aims to provide a controlled and open access service for patients with any type of mental health or wellbeing anxieties.

The location at FOUNDRY has been chosen due to its central and easily accessible location for all Eastbourne residents, and also as it is a non-clinical setting, with the aim to make the experience more comforting and less stressful for those looking to seek advice.

Room 201 officially opened on December 8, with VIP guests including Caroline Ansell MP and Eastbourne Mayor Councillor Pat Rodohan, alongside local councillors and businesspeople.

Nigel Grinstead, CEO at Victoria Medical Centre, said: “We are delighted to be opening our second unit in the Beacon, and even more excited to have a space

in the newly opened FOUNDRY.

“We are confident that Room 201 will be a safe space for Eastbourne residents to visit to help address any concerns they may have. We have a team of highly skilled professionals, some of the best in the country, to help bring our vision to life and give the people of Eastbourne whatever help and support they need.”

Room 201 is now open to the public on the first floor of FOUNDRY for residents to drop in when convenient or make an appointment at the surgery.

To find out more, please visit: https://victoriamedicalcentre.co.uk/

Run by Victoria Medial Centre (VMC) and its existing Beacon Centre outlet, Digital First, Room

leading social practitioners and mental

Business leaders chosen to support Digital Futures skills drive in West Sussex

They will be the business voice for the Digital Futures programme, which will run through 2023, improving access to the wide range of digital careers available across the county and helping to meet the skills needs of growing businesses.

The Digital Futures ambassadors selected to support the initiative are Luke Mead, chief executive of LMS Group in Chichester, Mark Bullen, managing director of GB Electronics in Worthing, and Barney Durrant, director of Bluebell Digital in East Grinstead.

Each ambassador brings experience and knowledge on the advanced digital skills gaps in the county and the challenges businesses currently face in recruiting tech talent, as well as the significant growth of digital industries in West Sussex.

The ambassadors will play a key role in supporting businesses in their local area to attract homegrown tech talent, as well as supporting jobseekers with guidance on suitable entry routes to digital jobs and showcasing the benefits of a digital career in the county.

Having started out fixing computers in his bedroom at the age of 15, Luke Mead set up IT support company LMS Group in 2010.

Luke said: “The shortage of homegrown tech talent has always been apparent when recruiting at LMS Group. To be involved as a Digital Futures ambassador means I can share the experience I’ve

gained over the past 15 years of working in tech within the county, and to showcase the benefits of building a digital career in tech within the county too.”

As managing director of Worthing-based electronics design company and manufacturer GB Electronics, Mark Bullen already works with schools and colleges in

West Sussex to inspire young people to pursue careers in innovation and tech.

Mark said: “I am delighted to be chosen as an ambassador for Digital Futures West Sussex. We can certainly see considerable potential in our region and in order to maximise opportunities, it is vital to dramatically increase the profile of the digital industry.

“This will have a positive knock-on effect on inward investment, promoting more start-ups, fast-tracking company growth and presenting West Sussex as a fantastic location for established technology-orientated businesses to base themselves in.”

Barney Durrant has more than 20 years’ experience in the digital sector. After seven years working at Google, he set up his own digital marketing company, Bluebell Digital, in East Grinstead.

Barney said: “I’m passionate about the internet and the opportunities that digital can offer young people and those looking for a change in direction in their careers.

“As a digital marketer, my business is closely aligned with educating businesses about what they can achieve online, so this project seems like a natural fit for me. I can’t wait to engage with people across the county on this vital area for our future economic development.”

Digital Futures West Sussex is jointly funded by West Sussex County Council and the West Sussex Districts and Boroughs. The programme is being led by local strategic consultancy Always Possible with support from the three Digital Futures ambassadors, working in partnership with local authorities, education providers and business networks to raise awareness about the range of digital jobs available across various sectors in West Sussex.

The programme will be running multiple events across the county in 2023, starting with pop-up information hubs in January to connect jobseekers, those seeking a career change, graduates and students with trainers and businesses to showcase the opportunities available.

To find out more about Digital Futures West Sussex, visit: www. digitalfuturesws.co.uk

Digital Futures West Sussex has announced three business leaders as Digital Futures ambassadors for the county.

World cup winner Tymal Mills signs T20 contract extension with Sussex Cricket

Having joined Sussex Cricket 2015, Tymal has gone on to take 96 T20 wickets for the Sharks and is only 11 wickets away from becoming Sussex’s all-time leading T20 wicket-taker, a record currently held by former Sussex legen Will Beer.

In last year’s Vitality Blast competition, he finished as the Sharks’ leading wicket-taker with 15 wickets.

As well as being a major force in the domestic T20 scene, Tymal has played 13 T20I’s for England, taking 12 wickets and was part of the squad that won the ICC T20 World Cup in November last year.

Speaking on his new deal, Tymal, said: “I’m really pleased to have signed a contract extension that will take me through to my 10th season at the club.

“Although I only play T20 I see myself as a full time Sussex player, I live in Hove, I’m raising my children here and there’s nowhere else I see myself playing cricket.

“I’m really excited for the immediate future working with and playing under Paul Farbrace from the chats I’ve had with him so far and the speed at which this contract extension was offered and delivered makes me feel valued at the club moving forward.

“I look forward to seeing everybody back at Hove this summer.”

Not only has he become one of the most feared fast bowlers in England, Tymal has become a regular on the global franchise circuit.

In 2017 Mills became the second most expensive overseas draft player in IPL history, when selected for the Royal

Challengers Bangalore and has since gone on to play for various franchise teams in India, Australia and more recently, the UAE.

Sussex Bowling Coach, James Kirtley, added: “I am delighted that Tymal has signed an extension to his contract with us. He was part of the world cup winning squad and I have heard so much good stuff about the way in which he went about things at the world cup, it just shows the professionalism of the man.

“That is something I always see with Tymal around our group, he always encourages our bowlers and players in the T20 squad and he is a fantastic example and standard-bearer for our team.

“He is a highly respected, well-regarded player around the world, and we are lucky to have him here at Sussex.”

The left-armer will now remain with the Sharks until at least the end of the 2024 season. Monthly News

That, as they say, is a wrap!

This series has been a real game changer for me.

I am on a mission to try and change the narrative around how success is measured and including that someone’s success, especially in business, should not be measured purely as a financial metric.

I tried to delve deep into what makes these exceptional individuals tick,

many of whom are very financially successful. But the overriding message is that, ultimately, we are all searching for fulfilment and contentment, and money and financial success, although providing us with potential opportunities and the ability to buy more stuff, doesn’t necessarily give us purpose and certainly not fulfilment.

As we navigate this crazy journey of life, and I continue to learn from the amazing stories that people share with me on the

podcast as well as my own experiences, I am continually reminded by everyone, that although it is a cliche and we all know I love a cliche, life is a journey and not a destination - getting up everyday and doing your best, whatever that looks like to you, enjoying the process and being present in the moment, that is the key to true success, happiness and fulfilment.

When listening to these episodes please ask yourself, how do you measure your success?

Sam Thomas looks back on Series 3 of the County Business Talks Podcast - 16 truly amazing conversations with brilliant guests.

CBC Stories

For me, Charlie Macksey described it brilliantly in the book ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse’.

What do you think success is?’ “To love,” said the mole.

I would like to thank all my amazing guests: Mark Woolley, Mike Monk, Jessica Freeman, Karen Dobres, Jo Child, Sam Murphy, Ed Chinn, Tom Hooper, Fiona Anderson, Marc Convey, Lindsey Clay, Chris Goodman, Ricky Whiting, Andy, Steve, Chris Tugwell, Julian Caddy, Dan Wade and Rob Starr. I am so grateful for your time, your openness, honesty and sharing your inspirational stories and journeys with me and our listeners.

Mark Woolley, founder and international creative director of leading British hair company Electric, talked about his journey in building a global brand.

Speaking about his inspiration to go into business, he said: “Every now and again someone would say ‘I own my own business’ and ‘I’m doing this’, so one of my goals from being at school was that I would like to own my own business.

“I wasn’t academic but I was really into art. I liked art, music and I liked sports - but they weren’t academic subjects. In the subconscious, hairdressing presented itself as a creative, fun business to be involved in. There were all these young people who seemed to own their own businesses and I thought that might be for me. It sounds so silly when you say it like that, but I think they were the touchpoints.”

Mike Monk, founder and organiser of Brighton & Hove Business Show and owner of Advantage Business Mentoring, spoke about his long

and successful career in sales and marketing. His advice, given with some inspirational examples, is to ‘Never give up’. He imparted some stories that truly did offer motivation and an insight into how to out-class your competitors.

Jessica Freeman has over 25 years’ experience in HR and started her own company in 2014. She is also a coach at Dorking Ladies’ Rugby as well as a community coach for Harlequins Rugby Club and played rugby herself at a very high standard. She spoke about why there is no difference between business and sport.

She said: “Do you know what? There’s never a right time. There’s always a reason not to do something. If you let that reason be your decision-making factor, then you are not actually ever going to do anything.”

Karen Dobres, director of Lewes FC, explained what it means to impact diversification and how it benefits everyone.

Speaking of being a woman in sport, she said: “It’s hugely male-dominated and the disparities are vast. We can talk about what women are paid compared to what men are paid but also are the pitches the women play on the same or are their pitches inferior and much further away from the town that they’re representing making it harder for people to come to?

“When I first said that I was going to stand to be a director at Lewes FC, my friends were laughing, but people like me have to feel comfortable at a football ground. I have to feel I can be a director - we’re talking about diversity all over the shop and, you know, let’s just do it.”

Jo Child, founder of Co-Women, also spoke about diversification.

She said: “Another thing that I’ve noticed with women in business is that they feel this need to be serious, to be taken seriously, to present themselves seriously and, again, going to these events women were not smiling.

“The idea of men versus women is such a trigger for people when it’s not men

versus women in the first place. It doesn’t matter what product or service you’re providing, you’re going to have your demographic. It’s a shame that feminism has got such negative connotations attached to it because if you just strip it back to basics it simply means equality for men and women.

Unfortunately, we have got to a point now where we’ve got extreme feminism. With any project, the pendulum always has to swing completely the other way before it can come back and rest in the middle and I think that’s what’s happening right now. We’re on this path for equality for women but that triggers people into thinking that it’s something that is not.”

Sam Murphy, managing director of award-winning brokerage Mortgage Medics, talked about How Being Different Can Be Your Superpower in Business.

He said: “What has always been my primary goal from day one is to just look after people. If you look after people and treat them with respect, then they will do business with you and look after you in return.”

Ed Chinn, associate director at EY Breakthrough Incentives, spoke on the topic of Being Diagnosed with ADHD, Changing Careers and Having an Impact.

One of his standout comments was: “So, I am going to drop the bomb early here and say - this is not something I’ve told everyone yet - but I’ve had a recent diagnosis of ADHD, more the Attention Deficit side. If you set a goal for something and are open to opportunities... That positive mindset and visualisation is so helpful.”

Force of nature Tom Hooper brought his motivational style to the podcast with a conversation about Mental Health, Life Choices and Curve Balls.

He said: “My story stems from overseas. I was adopted in 1990 by my two English parents from Romania. I spent the first years of my life in an orphanage. My journey through life versus my journey through business is very, very different.”

Fiona Anderson, who has helped new ventures and entrepreneurs over many years, talked to me about Start Ups, Entrepreneurs and Building a Strong Network.

She said: “Where I can orchestrate partnerships of collaborations, I do. They always have a positive outcome.”

Marc Convey, former MD of 23D and co-founder at Thrive Now, a collective movement connecting a community

of people who desire to create a better world by being better, happier humans, spoke about From Childhood Trauma to Thriving Now.

He shared: “It’s 30 years this year since I was in a fire and for the 30 years beyond that point I was just running into life, head on, to almost make up for the stuff that I felt I’d lost in life. I was never on fire but I was trapped in a garage and had to fight my way out. I was flatlining in the ambulance and was in a coma when I first got to the hospital.”

Lyndsey Clay, a qualified coach, networking champion and social concierge, joined me to discuss Breaking the Blueprint to be Happy.

Referring to the traumas of infertility, miscarriage, IVF and divorce, she said: “There were definitely some dark days during that time and I didn’t know what life was going to look like now and who was I without our relationship. Constantly changing job and looking for that thing that was going to make me feel like myself again.”

Chris Goodman, co-founder and director of Focus Group, a UK telecommunications and IT business, talked about how he achieved all his goals but still felt unfulfilled - because he

had failed to invest in himself.

He said: “When we got to 2020 and sold a share of the business, we’d had a fantastic journey, but had I really taken the time to enjoy the journey - to reflect at various moments on the highs and the lows and all the things that come with running a business, like having responsibility for staff? The answer is absolutely no.

“While I would diligently write my to-do list and goals for each year, the extent of my ‘have I succeeded or not?’ was at the end of the year either putting a tick or cross next to the various items.

“There was no emotional aspect to it. No sense of appreciation.”

Ricky Whiting, an SEO expert, an author, studio director and founder of Itty Bitty. co.uk, talked about From an Itty Bitty idea to Marketing and Growing a Business.

He said: “I always think you’ve got the three Ps. You’ve got your people, profit, of course, and processes. They are all important but, actually, people first.”

Brothers, Andy, Chris and Steve Tugwell from TSS Facilities joined me for a conversation about Building a Business on Strong Family Values. As well as

revealed how the business survived the most challenging of times in the 1990s, they demonstrated their belief in Respect, Accountability, Trust and Integrity.

Dan Wade, new practice development manager at WPA Healthcare Practice PLC and co-founder and trustee at Table Talk Foundation, explained Why Everyone Should Work in Hospitality.

Hugely inspiring, he imparted information about his earlier years working in kitchens - the banter, borderline bullying, but an amazing experience that taught him about the power of teamwork, how to develop a thick skin and enhance his strong work ethic.

Rob Starr, CEO and founder of SEICO Group and chairman of the Starr Trust Charity, joined me to have a conversation about Taking on Challenges and Life One Day at a Time.

One of the things that will stick with me is him saying: “We all have 24 hours in a day. If you want to do something, find a way of doing it.”

Everyone has a story to tell... Happy listening.

https://www.youtube.com/@ countybusinessstoriespodcast

Tips on how to maximise your dilapidations claim

Yes, this is a dry subject and perhaps, to some, not that interesting. However, by taking note, it could make the difference between recovering thousands of pounds and recovering little or nothing when the time comes.

Most properly prepared leases will

contain the usual covenants requiring the tenant to leave the property in the same condition as it was at the time the lease was originally granted. A seasoned landlord will know that even where the lease clearly sets out the tenant’s obligations, there are steps that they can take prior to the lease ending to minimise their losses and the potential letting void should the property be left in a noncompliant lease condition.

Plan in advance

At the end of the lease the landlord will generally be considering if the tenant is liable for dilapidations. The relevant covenants of the lease to consider are usually:

• Repairing covenants

• Decorating covenants

• Covenants to comply with statute

Helen Bell, Partner at Mayo Wynne Baxter, explains how a little knowledge can help landlords recover more.

Legal

• Covenant to yield up the property in a specified condition

• Reinstatement covenant

Properly drawn, the lease will include a covenant permitting the landlord to enter the building for the purpose of inspecting the condition. It is advisable to inspect the property, and the detailed terms of the lease, about 6 months prior to term end to record the condition and inform the landlord’s strategy for dealing with any dilapidations.

Some leases, or licences to alter, may include a clause that certain works must be reinstated prior to lease end but only on being given the requisite landlord’s notice. Accordingly, an early inspection gives the landlord time to serve the appropriate notice avoiding a complete defence by the tenant for any failure to reinstate the property.

Prepare and serve an Interim Schedule of Dilapidations

Different rules apply for the recovery of the costs of repairs by the landlord if they are done during the lease than if they are done after lease end. There are various advantages to serving an interim schedule of dilapidations before the lease comes to an end:

• It gives the tenant time to undertake all the repairs therefore reduces the period between the tenant leaving and the landlord being able to relet the property.

• If the tenant is obstructive, it gives the landlord time to invoke a clause permitting them to undertake the work themselves and recover the costs of doing so as a debt.

• It can act as notice to reinstate giving the tenant enough time to undertake reinstatement works which can sometimes be substantial.

• It can prompt a dialogue between the landlord and tenant where there are

differences in opinion of what repair works may be required increasing the possibility of an early settlement thus saving costs.

After the lease has expired

When the lease has ended the landlord must comply with the Dilapidations Protocol otherwise known as the Pre-Action Protocol for Claims for Damages in relation to the physical state of commercial property at termination of a tenancy.

The Protocol prescribes a timetable for dealing with the dilapidations claim. A failure to follow the Protocol may lead to a delay in recovery of damages and/or a court sanction which is usually reflected by an order disallowing certain costs of bringing the claim.

The Protocol requires the landlord to serve a schedule of dilapidations and a quantified claim within 56 days of the lease expiry. It is essential that the landlord is fully prepared and armed with advice from a qualified building surveyor as well as being conversant with the Protocol or has access to an experienced and specialist legal advisor in property disputes. It is at this time that matters of strategy come into play; how stringently should the landlord comply with the Protocol? What are the costs and what are the risks? Every case is different. If the dilapidations are £200,000 then the advice may differ than if the dilapidations are £20,000.

A well-prepared Protocol compliant Claim letter may reap dividends by placing the landlord in a strong position to negotiate a good settlement. Conversely, if the claim letter is non-complaint this can lead

to delays and additional costs to deal with technical defences and to put your house in order before being in a position to make a claim.

Once the lease has expired the landlord’s ability to recover the costs of putting the property back into repair is curtailed by section 18 of The Landlord and Tenant Act 1927 which imposes a cap on the damages that can be claimed arising from a breach of the repairing covenants. This is why it is always better for the landlord to start considering the dilapidations issues well in advance of the lease coming to an end.

We at Mayo Wynne Baxter LLP have specialists in property litigation including Helen Bell who is ranked in Legal500 2023 and Chambers 2023. We are happy to help navigate the Protocol to maximise the prospect of an early and successful resolution to your dilapidations claim.

hbell@mayowynnebaxter.co.uk www.mayowynnebaxter.co.uk

Helen Bell

Employment Law: What if industrial action affects

It goes without saying that businesses directly linked to workers in striking areas, for example, rail, will notice an immediate effect. The purpose of this article is not to discuss the merits or otherwise of any industrial action, or even to deal with those who employ staff in directly affected areas, but what specifically should employers

do if any industrial action affects employees ability to either get to, from, or even perform their role. In many respects, being alive to the secondary effects of industrial action is important for small employers as, if staff are unable to work in full, this may have an adverse effect on the employer’s business.

Whilst different public sector workers are striking at different times, all of

the above issues could affect the workplace generally:

1. Rail strikes

It goes without saying that these are likely to be the most consequential for unrelated employers. A number of issues could arise, the most obvious being the inability of employees to either get to work or get home from work.

Given that such strikes are announced in

It is hard to avoid the news of various strikes, and how they are affecting the country as a whole. Many small employers will find that their staff are affected, even though they as a business are in an unaffected area.

your staff?

advance, employees and employers will have a clear timetable of any affected days, and can plan in advance. The day (particularly the evening) before, and the morning after should also be considered as potentially affected periods. The simple position is that staff may not be able to attend work on those days, and employers should engage with them early about alternatives:

i) Is working from home possible? Many office based employers already have a hybrid workforce in place, and it would be reasonable for them to adjust working patterns on strike days;

ii) Are alternative forms of transport to work possible eg car shares, and if not, if the employer considers the employee’s attendance crucial, could they fund taxis?;

iii) Could annual leave or unpaid leave be used by agreement?

Employers may be faced with a situation where employees refuse to co-operate, or feel they have no choice but to try and enforce attendance. This course of action should not be taken lightly. Firstly, do they have a contractual right to do so (unlikely), and secondly, what action will they take? An employee dismissed in such circumstances would have a strong case for unfair dismissal.

2. Teaching staff strikes

The obvious knock on effect from any such industrial action, would be that staff are unable to attend work, or potentially even work remotely, if they have unexpected childcare obligations as a result. Employer’s should, as with the above, engage early, work out how and which staff are affected, and try and reach compromise. Employers should also be aware that staff have the right to take off emergency leave to deal with dependent issues. A last minute childcare issue because issues had not been dealt with early, may come under that.

Employers should also be aware of potential discrimination issues surrounding childcare issues. For example, if there are teacher strikes, and an employer refuses all requests for time off to deal with this, that could be potential sex discrimination, as statistically, women are more likely than men to face childcare obligations. By engaging early, employers will avoid potential claims.

3. NHS strikes

This type of industrial action could have a secondary effect on employers, for example:

i) Staff may be out longer for prearranged appointments;

ii)Those appointments may be moved on short notice;

iii) Staff taking family members may have similar issues (and similar effects to 2 above);

iv)Staff could be off sick for longer periods if treatment is harder to access.

As with the other examples above, engaging early and agreeing a sensible policy and/or process is key.

As with any external issue that affects employees, identifying that issue early, considering possible effects, liaising with employees and finding possible solutions will always put the employer in a better position than being reactive. The ongoing effects of Covid-19 were an example of this. Those employers that continued dialogue and identified solutions, avoided claims, and had a more harmonious relationship with their workforce.

Please always take advice on any staff related issues.

Alex Jones

Alex Jones

Women in Law – the benefits of equality in the legal profession

Legal

As a grammar school and university graduate from Tunbridge Wells, I was an optimist at the time of embarking on my legal career. The need for diversity hadn’t particularly crossed my mind. I had good female role models throughout school and university and generally had no reason to believe that my entry into the legal market would be in any way impeded by my gender.

I completed my training at a City firm and soon the rose-tinted scales began to fall. A partnership board of 95% men was unfortunately par for

the course in most firms. I started to understand gender bias, conscious and unconscious, and developed a healthy dose of imposter syndrome. As a relatively junior lawyer, I watched a good friend of mine walk out of her office in tears after she’d been informed that her salary increase was less than her male comparators for the third year running. No-one seemed to be able to tell her why, and complaining to senior management felt like going against the hard-nosed professional exterior most of us were trying to assume at that time (you fake it till you make it, right?).

It was around that point that I became something that was an utter anathema to

the general expectations of an aspiring female City lawyer; a sole parent. Suddenly beholden to the demands of the most unreasonable boss at home as well as the less slightly unreasonable demands of clients, the guilt of failing to deliver on both fronts was massive. It turned out I was delivering; work liked me and I liked them, and it seems that my son even likes me occasionally, but I had no idea – I was overwhelmed with my own perceived failure.

What can be done?

I have learned a lot since then and become better at setting boundaries. I’m still a people pleaser; I think most lawyers are as providers of professional

Caroline Watkins, EMW Law LLP’s Gatwick construction partner, offers some personal insights into equality in the legal world and the balancing of gender representation over the years.

services. We like our clients and we want to do our best for them. That should always be a given. I have also learned that there is always a way of getting the best out of people using appropriate performance expectations, mentoring and responsive management, in order to ensure that someone delivering at home and at work doesn’t end up drowning and failing on both counts. This is supported by diary management, effective communication with clients, keeping to deadlines and the use of smart technology which records not only time but documents, contact with clients and business development to give employers comfort that the agreed performance targets are being met.

Flexible working

“The term “flexible working” is often heard but the scope of it is misunderstood; legislation sets out the circumstances in which an employee can make a request for flexible working and a flexible working policy is a common requirement for employers. But if an employer wishes to fully equip their prospective workforce with a remit in which they can best perform, we have seen that since the pandemic this is best achieved by adopting a flexible attitude and approach. Measures such as flexibility in working from home and compressed or reduced hours are excellent examples of good practice but the gold star goes to employers that actively tackle gender bias, create opportunities that are available to all and have the insight to recognise and develop skills in the workforce that optimise the offering of the business in a manageable way.

Here at EMW, we have a progressive approach including the ability to work remotely from anywhere for up to 4 weeks per year. This is certainly something that has helped me manage my family commitments (particularly school holidays)

alongside the demands of work. The leadership team at EMW Gatwick is fully genderbalanced and we are backed by the rest of the partnership being of the view that a flexible approach is vital to our success.

Where are we now?

With 60% of entrants to the legal profession since 1990 being female, it is difficult to see why there isn’t gender equality at partnership level on the basis of this statistic alone. Yet the Law Society, now on its seventh female president, has published the Women in Law Pledge to which businesses can sign up as a way of making a commitment to supporting the progression of women into senior roles by focusing on retention and promotion opportunities, and setting clear plans and targets around gender equality and diversity. It is clear that there is still work to be done.

Caroline Watkins

already incorporated into our society and the alerts in the UK Government roadmap no longer accurately represent the British attitude to gender equality. And it’s normal to be able to feed the baby and still do your job well.

The Equality Act 2010, which sets out legal framework to protect the rights of individuals from discrimination and advance equality of opportunity for all, is 23 this year. Case law within the UK (and the EU) has provided further guidance on its provisions since its implementation. The UK Government has produced a very useful gender equality roadmap for change which tackles the issue at the policy end of things, illustrating the limiting attitudes to gender that start before school even begins. Media-wise, we have experienced moments such as Australian Senator Larissa Waters breastfeeding her baby while moving a motion in the Australian Federal Parliament in 2017. Perhaps the endgame is where we have a working environment where the Pledge is no longer necessary because this is

Expectations of lawyers should be high; the profession needs to keep evolving, striving for excellence and putting the needs of clients first. It’s why I entered the rewarding, challenging legal world in the first place. High expectations that are realistic should encourage good performance, not confound it by setting lawyers up to fail with unreachable targets or badlymanaged client relationships. Thanks to recognition and intervention from the relevant authorities we are watching the sea change, and my optimism for the future is not diminished.

Caroline Watkins

Principal 0345 074 2496

Caroline.Watkins@emwllp.com www.emwllp.com

Getting your business in good legal shape for 2023

Cognitive Law.

Whether you’re a fully-fledged business owner or looking to start a new venture this year, now is the perfect time to take stock and get your house in order. Then you can get on with achieving those goals.

your business in order to hit the ground running for 2023.

Legal

This may sound somewhat of a chore, so to help you on your way we’ve put together some helpful tips on how to get

Already running a business?

1.

Look at the business plan

You may think you are completely au fait with your business plan, but when was the last time you actually looked at it properly? Go back and reacquaint yourself with your goals, objectives and strategies, to give you an idea of where

you are against them. Congratulate yourself for those you have achieved and set new goals. Identify areas you are underachieving in and put together a step by step plan of how you are going to overcome them. This will focus your attention on where you are now, where you want to be and how you are going to get there.

2. Set new goals

Goals keep us motivated and give

us something to focus on and work towards. Setting effective and achievable business goals is at the heart of any good business goal strategy. They might be personal income goals that are dependent on the success of the business, they might be an exit plan or you may have other growth goals. Whatever they are, remember to keep goals SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time bound. Then incorporate them into this years Business Plan.

3. Review your cash flow

Cash flow is vital for the survival of any business. Look back over the last 12 months and identify how much revenue came in, how much was spent on outgoings, and how much was left for profit. Look at whether your outgoings have increased and if so, why. Can you trim them to increase your profitability? Ensure you have tax reserves or that you have budgeted for tax over the coming year. Make sure you have headroom between your income and outgoings so that if your income decreases andyour outgoings increase, you are still solvent. With a firm grasp on the basic profitability of the business and a well-rounded view of your cash flow, you can focus on the real activity for the year ahead.

4. Tidy up your accounts

It’s therapeutic to start the new year with a clean slate. If you can, settle any unpaid accounts and reduce your aged payables ledger. Collect all outstanding accounts owed to you, to maximise your income. Don’t bury your head in the sand! Having a strict credit management policy is key to keeping the cash flow coming into the business. Follow a simple credit control procedure and minimise the chance of debt recovery. Tie up financial loose ends and know where you are going forward.

5. Review your pipeline

If you were busy last year, you may

have overlooked building this year’s pipeline. Marketing efforts should take place throughout the year to enable the pipeline of incoming revenue to flow smoothly. Taking some time at the beginning of the year to review what is in the pipeline will either reassure you, or re-ignite your marketing activities.

6.

Keep up to date with the law

Keep on top of any changes that may affect your business, either operationally or financially. Check there are no changes in the law heading your way which may impact how you do things or your plan for the year ahead. Having a basic understanding of the law in your business sector will allow you to make better and more informed decisions.

Starting a new business this year?

If 2023 is a year of change for you and you’re grasping the opportunity to go into business with a trusted partner, you will need to ensure these 4 points are carefully considered at the outset:

1. Business structure Partnership? Limited company? Limited liability partnership? There are a number of ways in which you can trade and share profits and losses in a business. Depending on your circumstances, there are tax advantages and disadvantages, and differences in reporting requirements. You may want to consider the ease with which the business relationship can be changed or brought to an end; and whether you want your information to be publicly available. Chat the differences through with an adviser to make sure you set the foundations of the business securely before you build it.

2. Document your expectations

Keeping arrangements between business partners ‘loose’ and ‘flexible’ are all very well BUT what if you both come away from a meeting with a different view of what has been agreed?

Have you thought about profits, losses, investment, minimum time to be spent, decision-making, differences in opinion on direction? Whilst you may think that you’ll just be able to agree anything, it’s surprising how polarised views can become, or how misunderstandings at the outset can cause big problems later. If it’s all written down, everyone knows where they stand. Agreeing and formalising the business relationship at the outset ensures everyone knows where they stand.

3. Set out your stall

Make it clear to your buyers or clients how you do business. From payment terms to complaints, it’s crucial to clearly document in your terms of business the basis on which you are trading.

4. Business Protection

Negative thoughts couldn’t be further from your mind but are so important to consider and guard against. What will happen if one of you dies? If your spouses or partners have a stake in the business, what happens if you divorce or split up? What if one of you becomes incapacitated, or your business interests are simply no longer aligned? Not thinking about these possibilities, and more importantly not documenting what will happen, is common and can result in not only animosity and stress but an unnecessary, lengthy, and expensive Court case to resolve matters.

Having difficult discussions at the beginning of a business relationship can save a world of paid if it ends.

Whatever 2023 brings, Cognitive Law will be here to help with any legal advice you may need for your business. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us on 0333 400 4499 if you think we can help.

www.cognitivelaw.co.uk

Does my accountant need to be qualified?

Unlike terms such as solicitor and barrister, which are protected by law, anyone can call themselves an accountant.

It is therefore important to recognise the difference between an accountant and a qualified accountant.

Finance

The terms Chartered Accountant and Chartered Certified Accountant can only be used by someone holding the correct qualification. They are ICAEW (ACA) and ACCA respectively. You may also find someone qualified under AAT, although many AAT qualified accountants go on to study ACA/ACCA as they are a higher level of qualification.

When choosing an accountant, you should ensure that they have the correct qualifications to suit your needs.

At Plus Accounting we have staff with both qualifications, we are regulated by the ICAEW and we are also an ICAEW and ACCA approved employer for staff training requirements.

Choosing the right accountant for my business

When choosing an accountant, you should decide what services you require and how you would like them delivered. Accountants can offer a selection of services such as bookkeeping, annual accounts, auditing, corporation tax returns, management accounting, cashflow reporting, share valuations, personal tax returns and many more!

The best way to determine what you need

is to have a conversation and discuss your needs with one, or even multiple accountants, and see who can provide the services you need, together with the relevant experience and expertise.

The services you need can range widely given where your business currently is and the level of growth it is experiencing or trying to achieve. It may be that you want to keep certain areas in house by hiring a team member to undertake these or you may want to outsource the whole function.

How can I ensure my accountant will provide a good service?

Along with ensuring the accountant has a relevant qualification, as mentioned above, you should ensure they have the correct experience in delivering the types of services you require. The best way to ascertain this would be to look

on their website for client testimonials or ask them for examples of how they have helped similar businesses.

It may also be helpful to ask what quality control procedures are in place, alongside the membership of the professional accounting body. For example, we are members of the Mercia group, who provide us with regular training, to ensure all our staff are kept up to date and they also review our work to ensure we are maintaining the correct standards.

As you can see there is a lot to think about when choosing an accountant and understanding your needs first is key, you can then do your own research and have the conversations you need too to ensure you make the best decision for your business.

Plus Accounting - https://www. plusaccounting.co.uk/

Commercial finance: investing today for tomorrow

If you resolved that 2023 will be the year to push your business forward, finance is available, writes Andy Page, Head of Commercial Finance at Seico Group.

When was the last time we’ve been able to operate in a ‘normal’ business environment? Ten years? Twenty even?

Finance

The last three years have seen a pandemic which continues to impact the economy every day and prior to that we’ve had Brexit, referendums, austerity and a financial crisis whose shock waves continue to be felt.

And that’s before we consider the wisdom of installing a revolving door at No 10.

These once in a generation/lifetime/ millennium events have come round with increasing regularity - anyone proposing to wait until everything calms down before making that significant business

investment is likely to be left behind. If you have decided you’re not prepared to wait and that now is the right time to grow your business then no doubt you have formulated a plan. Whatever it involves, that plan will require capital expenditure and for many people this will have to be borrowed.

Despite a common perception at the moment that money is simply not there, my experience of the market is that the opposite is true.

Business lending was not subject to the volatility that was seen in the residential market last Autumn. Deals were not pulled, drawbridges were not raised and finance is accessible to the business community, now.

There are many lenders out there, each

with their own preference and niche - at Seico I speak with them regularly. I can do that on your behalf to find the right structure and pricing model for your business. In my experience there is nearly always a lender to be matched to every customer, as long as their business plan is viable.

So if you’re looking to take the next step, but figure that you won’t be able to raise the money, you may be in for a pleasant surprise.

Please don’t be shy about getting in touch with Andy Page for a chat on: 01273 778888 or via email: commercial@seicogroup.com

Andy Page

From a gut feeling to start a business to making gut-boosting sauerkraut

People start their own business for various reasons, from fulfilling a lifelong passion project to a side hustle for extra income. At the Business & IP Centre (BIPC) Sussex we meet start-ups on daily basis with their unique ideas and stories and we are excited to support them on their business journeys.

One of these start-ups was Savvy Ferments, who came to us just after the pandemic for some business support and we have been following their journey and successes since.

We sat down with them for a short interview and to share their story.

Can you introduce yourselves?

We are Savvy and Stevo, a husband and wife team based in Brighton, and our business is Savvy Ferments. We make unusual small batch flavours of raw unpasteurised sauerkraut.

What gave you the idea to start this business?

We started fermenting in the first lockdown to earn some extra money, as the pandemic affected our jobs and livelihood as it did for many people. Then we realised there was a fast-

growing interest in raw fermented food in the city. We decided to combine our skills and go into business together –to make flavourful and gut-boosting ferments for the people of Brighton and beyond! Stevo is the brains behind our incredible and eye catching branding and I’m the queen of the flavours.

Why the name Savvy?

Savvy: Well, my name is Savita which is primarily a female name of Indian origin that means ‘Best In The Universe’ - yep hippie parents! And as my nickname is ‘Savvy’, it seemed serendipitous to call our kraut SavvyKraut which is of course...The Best in the Universe!

How did you learn to make sauerkraut?

Savvy: My food journey began in the 70’s. Born to hippie parents I was brought up on a vegetarian wholefood diet. Our house was always filled with the smell of spices, herbs, curries, and stews. I remember being at school in the 80s and feeling like a total freak with my rice cakes, tahini, and alfalfa sprout sandwich!

Today though, I am so grateful for my healthy upbringing and how it has fuelled my love of nourishing food and bold flavours. As a sufferer of M.E., I have found eating fermented foods has had a profound improvement on my energy levels. I found lot of shop bought sauerkraut just wasn’t delivering on flavour so I started to make my own, using my love and knowledge of spices and flavour to make the sort of banging kraut my taste buds were crying out for.

Why is making sauerkraut important to you?

We believe that eating superfoods is integral to promoting good gut health and general wellbeing. It’s become scientific fact that eating raw & unpasteurised ferments such as kefir, kombucha, kimchi and kraut help to boost our immunity and are also

excellent natural alternatives to taking probiotic supplements.

We make live culture food that is delicious, nutritious, affordable and accessible to anyone wishing to improve their gut health. Making delicious flavours and showing people how to use it on the plate makes it so much more fun for everyone to begin to heal from the inside.

We make our SavvyKraut sauerkraut in bi-monthly small batches so it’s always fresh. And with five banging flavours to choose from there’s a kraut for every tastebud! We are currently stocked in 20 shops & cafes across Brighton, Hove and Greater Sussex.

Where do you get ideas for new sauerkraut flavours?

Savvy: I am inspired by dishes I like to cook and I’m excited by all the possible combinations of herbs and spices you can use in fermented food. I don’t go for traditional flavours as I’m all about breaking the mould and pushing the boundaries of what people expect sauerkraut to taste like. For instance, I love Mexican food and use a lot of limes, jalapenos and paprika so this is what inspired my Jalapeno & Lime Savvykraut flavour.

What is the best part about running

Savvy Ferments and what have you most enjoyed?

There are many areas of the business that have been really rewarding but one of the big highlights has been seeing the reactions of people when they eat our SavvyKraut at the markets. Customers are naturally reticent as the idea of fermented cabbage is not particularly appealing but once people try it, they are blown away by the incredible flavours. Hearing people’s feedback first hand is really valuable.

We’ve also learned so much about business and one another. Learning how to work together and enhance each other’s skills, Savvy as the inventor of the flavours and Stevo as the designer of the brand. We could not be at this point with the business without one another. It’s helped strengthen our belief that we can run a business well and make it a success. Learning how to work together to make delicious food has created massive new opportunities for us in a fantastic city that loves eating healthily!

How did the Business & IP Centre Sussex help you on your business journey?

BIPC have given us expert guidance on how to grow our business sustainably. Initially through the Reset Restart Programme and then with follow on

one-to-one sessions, we’ve become comfortable navigating areas of the business that we would otherwise have struggled to understand.

The team are friendly, knowledgeable and have always gone out of their way to give the personalised support we’ve needed for our fermentation business! And we are SUPER proud to have been featured as a new Brighton business on this year’s promotional material to promote the incredible services of BIPC Sussex!

What does a typical day look like for you both, running your business?

Our mornings vary a lot depending on where we are in the month. Every morning starts with strong coffee and a catch-up on what’s to be done over the coming week.

If it’s a ‘make’ week, we work out our ingredient requirements and decide which flavours we’ll make each day. Some flavours are more physical and also take longer to make, so we normally start the week with an easier make such as our Chilli Dilli Beets. By the end of the week we’ll be in full flow and so that’s when we take on the Tom

Thai which has the most prep and ingredients to consider.

If it’s a ‘jarring & labelling’ week then this too will be spread across a week we’re not making products. Our days either side of making and jarring are used for research & development, marketing, new business, and admin.

Trying to keep our weekends free but this doesn’t always happen…ask our kids!

What advice would you give someone starting a new business, or in general? “Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.”

Where are you most likely to be found in Brighton?

At the beach with our kids, hiking across The Downs, exploring Stammer Park or checking out the amazing markets and independent stores and eateries around Brighton!

Seeing as BIPC Sussex is based in libraries… tell us what books have impacted you?

What are your future plans for the business?

We’re really excited about growing our business to a nationwide scale, enabling people across the UK to try our smashing flavours. We are also developing some really exciting new fermented products which don’t yet exist in the UK food market. Watch this space!

Would you like to be our next success story?

Get in touch with BIPC Sussex to book a free one-to-one session with one of our Information Specialist, so we can help you develop your business idea or grow your existing small business.

Visit www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/bipc or email bipc@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Yum

Jen Sincero - You Are A Badass Will Bulsiewicz - Fibre Fuelled

Rubix VT - 25 years in the making

It’s hard to believe that Rubix VT has only been around for just over two years. The Rubix branding seems to be everywhere, and you can almost guarantee meeting one of the team at a Sussex networking event. Rubix VT appears to be the textbook example of an overnight success story. In fact, the Rubix journey is 25 years in the making. Cover Story

Nick Poyner, Rubix founder and Managing Director, started his telecoms career back in 1998.

Having been in the telecoms industry for a quarter of a century, Nick has seen huge changes in comms technology and experienced all the peaks and troughs.

For Nick, some things remain constant: the need to provide an excellent service and to understand what the customer really needs.

The quality that he has always possessed is the determination to succeed and keep learning. Rubix isn’t Nick’s first attempt to build his own

telecoms company, but he has learnt from previous ill-fated ventures.

Nick says: “I always harboured an ambition to have my own telecoms business, but things didn’t go smoothly before when I tried to strike out on my own. I had a couple of costly failed attempts. I trusted the wrong people and

made mistakes, but I always had the belief I could make it work one day.”

It is a case of third time lucky. Rubix VT is a dynamic and welcome addition to the local business scene.

It is often said that a recession can be a great time to start a new business. Some of the most successful businesses launched in a downturn including Microsoft, Airbnb, WhatsApp and JD Sports. The thinking is that if you can thrive when times are tough, then you will be well placed to grow when the economy sparks up again. And there are advantages – it can be easier to find talented people and there may be less business competition.

Rubix didn’t just launch in a recession – it came to life at a time during a pandemic when people were uncertain if they would ever return to the workplace.

“I probably chose the worst time to launch Rubix VT,” Nick reflects. “In October 2020, the country had just entered its second lockdown, but for me, personally, the time was right.

“I was working for a company that wasn’t treating its people well and I didn’t share its values. I wanted a business where the people are respected. The planets aligned and I decided to jump in with both feet.”

Just over two years later, Rubix VT is firmly established and is enjoying a sustainable and consistent growth phase.

SBT sat down with Nick to find out more about his business journey

How did you first get into the telecoms industry – and what did you do before?

I was working in recruitment at Brooke Street and I was doing very well sourcing people for Cavendish Communications in Newhaven and, one day, a role came in and I thought why not go for it myself. Effectively I placed myself.

I did enjoy working in recruitment. I even managed to place Ian Trevett into Sussex Life Magazine – which was quite an achievement! Maybe I couldn’t beat that!

Brooke Street played an important part at the very start of my career. I wanted to leave school as soon as I was allowed, so at the age of 16, I left school on the Thursday and on the Monday, I was at a Brooke Street temp agency in London.

They said they had nothing for me, but I can be very persistent. I just waited and waited in the office until they ‘suddenly’ found something for me. They just wanted to get me out of the office.

My first temp job was for London Underground doing data entry but soon

found something far more interesting. I started working at a barristers’ chambers and I was sent on prison visits, police interviews and to court to take notes. I was 16 and unqualified but it didn’t seem to matter then. It was exciting and sometimes a bit scary - I did hear about some horrific cases.

I intended to do my A levels and study law at university but the trouble was I was now used to earning money - and I liked it too much!

Instead, I got a Trainee Manager position at Sainsburys which meant a relocation from Kent to Brighton (the Lewes Road store). I have lived here ever since, and my three children were born in the city. I met my wife, Clare, when we were both working in the bar at The Fortunes of War.

How did you take to working in the telecoms sector?

I started in telecoms at the perfect time. There were so many opportunities out there, it was just a matter of being professional and focused.

There was a great deal of uncertainty about the upcoming Millennium as there were real fears that computers would crash. Early computer software programs had set up date fields with only two digits for the year. As a result, there was serious alarm that when the clock struck midnight on December 31st 1999, the computers would read the year ‘00’ as 1900, and the result would be a global tech meltdown.

Businesses and governments spent billions on software fixes for their computer systems, and the same applied for telecoms software. The solution was either replacing or upgrading phone systems and, as an industry, we could hardly keep up with the demand.

We all took full advantage by using fear to sell. I didn’t mind at all at the time but, looking back, I don’t think that is the way to do business.

We have another big deadline coming up as in 2025, when BT Openreach will be permanently switching off the UK’s analogue telephone network, including

ISDN lines, which many businesses are still using. Every phone line in the UK will become digital with all calls routed over the internet (usually referred to as VOIP calls).

The demand will be very high, but I am determined that we will only offer services that will benefit a customer and will offer a genuinely useful consulting service.

We are here for the long haul, and our reputation is very important to me.

How did you succeed in telecoms sales?

Firstly, through hard work. Sales can be tough. You have to pick up the phone and knock on doors. You will get rejections and deals can fall through after you have committed a great amount of time and effort. You need to be resilient and keep going.

I have always been a firm believer that people do business with people, and building strong personal relationships is essential. I have made many friends with customers over the years, and I like to think that they trust me. I will always go the extra mile to ensure I have offered an excellent service.

Added to this, it is important to be knowledgeable about the products you are selling and to keep informed about new innovations.

You had a couple of unsuccessful attempts at starting your own business. What went wrong and what did you learn?

Quite simply, I went into business with the wrong people and I made the mistake of trusting them. I won’t go into the details, but I was very badly let down, and it shook my faith in working with other people. I started Rubix VT on my own for this reason. Hopefully I am a better judge of character now.

What was the motivation for starting Rubix VT?

I did go through some very painful experiences when I had my own businesses and, for a while, I just wanted to get my head down and earn the money I needed for my family. But it wasn’t long before the urge to start my own business came back.

I have worked with many people in the industry, and I have seen what works well and what doesn’t. I have been ready for a long time, but I wanted to build up sufficient funds to finance the start-up. People need to be paid when you are building the business.

In the end, I decided the time was right when I found myself working for a company where the culture was unacceptable to me. I firmly believe that you should always treat your people with respect. I couldn’t face working

any longer in a business where people weren’t being treated well.

What were the challenges you faced when starting the business?

I had a clear idea of what I wanted to achieve but, in hindsight, I was in too much of a rush. I tried to grow the company too quickly and recruited too hastily. I employed some people without proper due diligence, and I recruited some very good people too early in the business cycle. Although I had built up financial reserves, the wage bill got a bit out of control. I had to make some very hard decisions.

I truly believe we have got it right now. We have a talented and hardworking core team, and we are now set to grow the business in a sustainable manner. We are looking to take more people on now, but I will take a more thoughtful approach to recruitment.

Nick Poyner

Quickfire Q&A

Ideal holiday? Somewhere where I can learn something new, a place with a distinct culture and local food.

Pub roast or Michelin star restaurant? Michelin Star.

Favourite film? The Godfather.

Dream dinner party guests? Arsene Wenger, Oliver Reed, Tom Hanks, Michelle Obama, James Martin, Ella Fitzgerald, Jools Holland, Robert De Niro, James Gandolfini and Quentin Tarantino.

What advice would you give to 18-year-old self? Start your own gig.

Biggest mistake in business? Trying to run to fast and thinking I can do everything myself.

Proudest moment in business? Seeing people who we’ve trained come through and achieve their goals.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

A mix of still being involved with Rubix but also having some form of charity and a mentorship programme for young people.

There is nothing more important in a business than the people. We have a young sales team (Phoenix Young, Will Farthing and Sean Hurley) who all have a great attitude and are keen to learn. I have total faith in Jazmin Palmer who heads up the support operations and in Ekaterina Shakirova who manages the finances. And I brought in Ian Trevett to have a fresh look at telecoms marketing. We have a tight, ambitious team – and I think (and hope) that our people enjoy working for Rubix.

How important is the company culture?

It is at the heart of everything I want to achieve. I am determined to grow a business with the right values and ethics. This means treating the staff with respect and ensuring they are part of the journey. It also means being transparent and offering a high level of customer service.

I truly believe in giving something back and supporting local charities.

Last year, we raised some money to help send a lovely young boy called Loui Legend to America for lifechanging surgery. We have enjoyed working with the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity and we are inspired by the work of The Starr Trust, which helps young people fulfil their potential. We will be do more with Rob Starr and the team in 2023.

Just over two years in, are you happy with the progress of the business?

Absolutely. I learnt a lot from the growth of The Focus Group, which has been enormously successful. Ralph and Chris built the business through a mix of acquisition and organic growth. Early on we acquired two companies and we have grown steadily ever since. We are now at the end of year two and we are now exceeding £1million annual turnover.

The journey is just starting. And 2023 will be very exciting. We have some big plans – watch this space!

About Rubix VT

Telecoms. Simplified.

Rubix VT keeps things simple. Telecoms doesn’t need to be complex.

The team at Rubix will recommend the flexible phone system that genuinely helps your business.

Whether you work at home or in the office, whether you make calls using a desk phone, mobile or laptop, they will get you connected.

Contact Rubix at hello@rubixvt.com or call 020 3740 4923.

www.rubixvt.com

Black+White Birthday Ball

Saturday March 11th 2023 at 7pm

In aid of Wolo Foundation - Helping to improve the quality of life of families in Sussex affected by cancer

Dress Code: Black tie & Sparkles

Put on your black tie and sparkles and join us on Saturday 11th March 2023, for Wolo Foundation’s

Birthday Ball, at the newly refurbished Hilton Brighton Metropole. Following the success of WoloBall last year, we’ve gone even BIGGER and BETTER!

You will be greeted with a welcome drink on arrival, followed by a deliciously stunning 3 course meal with half a bottle of wine. There will be live entertainment, a charity raffle/auction, dancing and live music into the early hours! Join us for an evening to remember!

Wolo supports families on their cancer journeys and inspires everyone to live their lives to the full. They help the whole family, not just those diagnosed, and provide regular family events to reduce isolation/loneliness. They also offer practical help, opportunities to improve mental health and overall wellness, and encourage everyone to live their best lives one day at a time. By supporting the event, you are helping to make a big difference to families all over Sussex.

Book early to avoid disappointment - individual tickets are available now! Tables of 10 and sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information and to book, visit our website www.wolofoundation.org or email contact@wolofoundation.org

#wolomoment #weonlyliveonce

BRIGHTON METROPOLE

Sponsor Media Partner

Brighton Paradox

A peculiar adventure of 10 podcast investigations, looking at Brighton & Hove’s first years of city status - and what this might tell us about the near future.

SBT

Throughout 2022, I got really nosey about Brighton & Hove.

A city I have lived, worked or played in since 1996. Where I went to school and college, where my wife and children were born, my first job, where my business is registered, where my heart calls home. But during the lockdowns, I didn’t step foot inside the city for over a year. For the first time in over two decades.

I found myself observing the place and its people, culture and economy

from outside, in my Worthing crow’s nest. I felt detached and homesick and admiring, as well as angry and bewildered. The best of society and innovation, tech and compassion was writ large during the peak of the pandemic - with amazing efforts of creativity to grow ideas, connections and communities.

But I was also watching a fragile economy with so many people feeling unsupported; a city more reliant on tourism and students than it wanted to admit; and deep inequalities, faultlines and poverty that just shouldn’t

exist somewhere so small and with so much social and creative capital. Constant paradoxes - of unique ingenuity and talent meeting paralysis and self-limiting behaviour.

Why?

What is really happening in 2020s Brighton and what does this mean for the next decade?

My curiosity took me on a strange quest to find out, creating over 100 hours of audio from over 60 interviews. I’ve trawled reports, stats, newspaper

columns, essays and social media to try and piece together an idea of how Brighton & Hove might thrive in the coming years. I’ve been making podcasts for over five years and enjoyed countless investigations in that medium, so it seemed a good place to start. The Brighton Paradox was born - and will start to be made public this month.

This peculiar adventure is a 10 part podcast investigation, looking at Brighton & Hove’s first years of city status, and what this might tell us about the near future.

1. The Edge

Episode one looks at Brighton in the 80s and 90s, the merger with Hove and the impact of winning city status in 2001.

2. Hail Guest!

What is a Brighton & Hove ‘welcome’? This episode explores the challenge of (in)equality, charity, sanctuary and inclusion with Caroline Lucas and Dr Carlie Goldsmith.

3. Omertà

Does the city suffer from groupthink? This episode looks at diversity of thought, culture and who is ‘allowed’ to speak their mind in 21st century Brighton & Hove.

4. The Fifth Supercity

What is Brighton famous for right now? What has put the city on the map in the past 20 years? This episode asks tricky questions from leaders in business and culture, with a close look at Big Beach Boutique, Brighton SEO, The Brighton

Summit and The Brighton Festival amongst others.

5. Food & Football

Brighton & Hove Albion’s rising star is changing perceptions of Brighton, globally. How? And can Brighton be both a foodie heaven AND a city of 44 foodbanks? Featuring an exclusive interview with Paul Barber as well as innovators from Brighton & Hove Food Partnership, HISBE and The Compost Club.

6. Superfusion

A number of major academic studies identified the fusion of creativity and tech as the key to Brighton’s economic growth. But does everyone know this? And is it still true? We explore pioneers of co-working spaces, business incubators and creative tech research.

7. Living & Learning

Does Brighton & Hove equal London prices but Eastbourne’s wages? Some say that the pandemic has shown how Brighton’s lifestyle, sea air and unique eco-system may lead to a radical counterLondon renaissance of health, education innovation and opportunity. Will it?

8. The Laboratory

Brighton has a problem in scaling up big ideas. But maybe that also suggests its strength? Could the future of Brighton & Hove be its talent for testing, and demonstrating, the possibilities that others are slow to realise? The UK’s, or even the world’s, ideas lab…?

9. Leadership

Brighton’s power tussle between

maverick individuals and collective, cooperative, networks is one of its biggest paradoxes. What does this mean for city leadership needed to drive change over the next decade and beyond?

10. The Cusp

The future of Brighton & Hove’s prosperity doesn’t have to be left to chance, or external agents. What if the city is on the cusp of something big? This final episode stitched together a wide array of thoughts.

This is a hugely collaborative endeavour, led by multi award-winning projects and strategy company, always possible. Plus X Innovation Hub has provided state-of-the-art technical facilities, planning space, introductions and help with production costs. Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club have opened doors with ideas, finance and time – and the first launch party will be at the Amex Stadium.

Lo Fi Arts are the production wizards, UnitedUs and University of Brighton’s Help To Grow Management Programme are valued project partners. Music has been provided by Fatboy Slim and Noraay. Media and marketing support from Sussex Business Times and Fox&Bear.

We couldn’t have done it without any of these guys. And now it’s over to you, to listen and maybe find some inspiration.

To hear the first episodes of The Brighton Paradox as they land, visit alwayspossible.co.uk/paradox

Wolo Africa 100 Trail Run and Trek

The team embarked on an incredible 10day journey through the African bush, the Tugela River and rural Zulu communities.

Running or trekking 16 miles a day for six days through areas where there is plenty of wildlife, wonderful scenery and friendly people. The terrain was varied but predominantly undulating game paths, dotted with tall standing aloes and acacias.

There was an underlying ethos of nature conservation, with the mission culminating in the release of a giraffe to help increase the gene pool of the current population - essential to the future of this vulnerable species.

After arrival at Durban International Airport, and transfer to the lodge, the team were greeted by the team leader, and an initial trail briefing during dinner. This was followed by a talk around the fire about giraffe conservation from a local ecologist.

Day two consisted of a short acclimatisation run and trek, followed by

the group spending time getting to know each other, and a dip in the river! Others went kayaking, and there was plenty of wildlife and views to enjoy.

Days three to seven were when the 100mile journey began! Averaging 16 miles a day, the team ran or trekked through a variety of stunning and inspiring locations, ranging from game reserves to rural villages. Spending 2 nights at Emaweni Camp, the team had the opportunity to visit 2 local communities.

Chris Goodman, a participant, said: “At two locations we were treated to wonderful hospitality. They performed traditional dances and sang songs. We tasted their ‘grog’, a fermented maize beer. We ate boiled maize - much like popcorn. Everyone smiled and laughed, and we were left feeling blessed and privileged to have been welcomed into their communities.”

It was an early start for part of the group on day eight, as they went to Nambiti Private Game Reserve to witness the capture of the giraffe that would be released later that day. The group

managed to capture two male giraffes, named Wolo and Logan, ready to be released back into the wild.

Chris said of the moment after the release: “The team of handlers, researchers and vets were all on hand to make sure the release went according to plan, and once in position the two giraffes were released. Slightly wobbly at first, they stumbled out, but were soon striding out through the acacia trees. It was a humbling moment. The culmination of years of research and then funding to bring about what will in time secure the future of the giraffes in Emaweni and Zingela. A truly emotional moment for all the group, after completing 100 miles, this was definitely a WOLO moment!”

“As we drove away, awestruck by what we’d just witnessed, we were only just beginning to realise the significance of the past week. It wasn’t just about the 100 miles, or raising money to support cancer sufferers, it was the very essence of Wolo. We only live once; and with that one life, we must protect the future of our planet so that those who come after

In partnership with Africa Wild Trails, and hosted by Zingela Safari & River Company, a team of runners and hikers set out on a mammoth multi-day mission to raise money for Wolo, a Sussex charity supporting families affected by cancer.

Charity

The rest of day eight was spent at Nambiti Private Game Reserve. Some well-earned time to relax and enjoy a safari, where they were lucky enough to see lions, elephants, rhinos and buffalo in their natural habitats.

The following day, the group departed Nambiti for their flights home, secure in the knowledge of just how big a challenge they had completed, and the beginning of the realisation of the impact the journey had on their lives.

Participants completed this challenge to raise funds for Wolo Foundation. In reality, they not only helped to raise funds for Wolo, they also embarked on a personal journey, made life-long friends, and had a life-changing experience. Their efforts also helped to secure the future generation of giraffes in the country. What a trip!

If you are interested in raising money for a local charity and creating an African journey with memories that will last a lifetime in 2023, please visit wolofoundation.org for more information.

About the Wolo Foundation Its mission is to help improve the quality of life of families in Sussex affected by cancer.

Wolo stands for ‘we only live once’, the perfect way to describe their ethos - to make the most of each day. Life is a blessing and we need to enjoy it; doing the things we love, with the ones we love. Husband and wife team, Justin and Fler Wright set up Wolo Foundation after a cancer diagnosis of their own. With three

young children to support, they were shocked at what little help there was out there for families like theirs. Knowing they didn’t want others to go through it like they did, ignited a little flame inside their hearts - and that’s how the idea began.

Wolo Foundation registered as a charity in 2020 and helps families living in Sussex through their cancer journeys. They support them by offering practical help and support to make their dayto-day lives easier. They work with other charities, local businesses and communities to offer families a wealth of services to support them through diagnosis, treatment and beyond.

Who does Wolo help?

Any family living in Sussex with a child or children under the age of 16 years at the point of diagnosis. They support all family members, whether it be an adult or child with a diagnosis - siblings and partners are supported too. They currently have almost 100 families and upwards of 200 children in their Wolo community.

How does Wolo help?

Every family is unique, and every cancer is different. Wolo’s bespoke approach recognises that people don’t always know what they need. Wolo offers all family members emotional guidance and practical help. From mental health support and complementary therapies, to practical help with cleaning, childcare, will writing or home maintenance issues. Nothing is too much trouble.

How you can help

Wolo is looking for anyone who can

offer a service to a family going through cancer treatment - whether it be therapy, childcare, legal help, memory making opportunities, counselling, gardening, decorating, car maintenance or a meal - literally anything! These can all funded through the charity. Wolo are passionate about collaboration with businesses, community groups and other charities to help make a difference to the lives of local families going through cancer.

Wolo hold a variety of fundraising events throughout the year and are always looking for willing participants who want to help raise funds by doing a skydive, wing walk, ice bath or similar.

Wolo are seeking 100 businesses/CEO’s to join the exclusive Wolo 100 club. To join, you need to commit to donating £100 per month to Wolo, for a minimum of 12 months.

Statistics show that 1 in 2 people in the UK born after 1960 will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Life is precious - we need to make the most of it - we only live once - Wolo!

contact@wolofoundation.org wolofoundation.org

For the second year running, Wolo Foundation in collaboration with Africa Wild Trails, will deliver an international charity run, trek/adventure fundraiser in September/October 2023

Limited places available. Register your interest/find out more here: https://wolofoundation.org/woloafrica-100-2023

us have a sustainable and vibrant planet in which to live theirs.”

Businesses rose to challenge to support sick children at Christmas

The Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital was the setting for a magical light display with local businesses, charity supporters and the community coming together to wish sick children a Merry Christmas.

In the run up to Christmas, Rockinghorse Children’s Charity ran their ‘Be a Rockinghorse Star’ campaign, which raised funds ensure no child visiting or staying in hospital last Christmas missed out on the festive fun.

The charity created a magical light projection on the side of the children’s hospital to wish all the children and their families and very Merry Christmas and to thank the staff who worked over Christmas.

Spending time in hospital over the festive period isn’t fun for anyone, but it’s even worse for children - not knowing if Father Christmas will know where to find them, not being able to enjoy Christmas at home with their family, not to mention being scared and worried about their treatment.

Donna Holland, CEO of Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, said: “Christmas is an especially busy time for the charity. We support the families who already know they are going to be in hospital at Christmas. They’ve just got a diagnosis, or their child is already sick. They know that Christmas day will be spent on a ward, in a treatment room or having surgery.

“We also support the families who don’t know they are going to be in hospital yet. Something will happen that will completely

change their plans. A cough that doesn’t go away, a temperate that keeps on rising or an accident waiting to happen.

“At Rockinghorse, we support all children and their families. We do anything we can to help them feel more at home in hospital at Christmas.”

Every year Rockinghorse brings Christmas to children in hospital, delivering advent calendars and gifts to children in hospital, putting on Christmas parties and festive activities, bringing Santa, reindeer, donkeys and dogs to the hospitals, as well as delivering Christmas meals and hampers to families on Christmas day.

Dr Oli Rahman, Chair of Trustees at Rockinghorse and Paediatric Consultant at The Alex, describes the difference this makes to children and their families. He said: “Each year we see increasing numbers of children and young adults coming to the Emergency Department at the Children’s Hospital. The last few weeks have been incredibly busy, and we have struggled to cope with the demand. We see worried parents concerned about their child’s symptoms, children with serious illnesses, babies struggling to breathe and feed and teenagers facing serious mental health issues.

“Christmas is a particularly difficult time for so many. The support that Rockinghorse gives to children and their families is vital, especially now as the NHS struggles to cope with the increased demand over winter. The toys bring joy and distraction from difficult and sometimes painful procedures, the festive activities ensure that the patients don’t miss out on fun and learning, and the meals and hampers

ensure families can spend some time together no matter what is going on for them during this festive period.”

Helping make Christmas happen

A range of Sussex businesses gave generously to support Rockinghorse’s Christmas Be a Star campaign - including Rubix VT, a telecommunications company based in Sussex, who have supported the largest Super Star in the display.

Nick Poyner, Managing Director at Rubix VT said: “At Rubix VT, we are always keen to do what we can to support the wonderful work of the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity.

“It feels even more important at Christmas time. Christmas is a magical time of the year for children and Rockinghorse excels at making sure no-one feels left out. It is hard to be in hospital or suffering during the festive period, so the team at Rockinghorse do their best to bring the joy of the season.

“Children in hospital often worry if Father Christmas will find them. The people at Rockinghorse point Santa in the right direction! How could we not support Rockinghorse?”

Other local businesses who have kindly supported the campaign include ILG, Mascol Events, County Business Clubs Sussex, Golden Lion Group, ABNAmro, Cloud9 Insight, Creative Pod, Second Voice and Mattioli Woods.

Find out more about how you can support Rockinghorse at: www.rockinghorse.org.uk

Rockinghorse Children’s Charity stages spectacular light display at hospital to bring the magic of the festive season to everyone.

Charity

Charity boss filmed by BBC as he completes 52nd Olympic distance triathlon

£100,000

Charity

Rob Starr made the pledge to undertake this world record

breaking personal challenge in December 2021 and completed his first triathlon of the challenge on 1st January 2022, continuing weekly thereafter throughout the year and finishing all fifty-two ahead of time on 30th November 2022.

Olympic Gold Medallist Daley Thompson CBE was amongst those cheering Rob on at the finish line, having praised his dedication and commitment to raise over £100k in support of numerous disadvantaged young people in Sussex.

Mr Thompson said: “I was never in any doubt Rob would get the job done. It takes a certain type of person to take on a challenge like this and Rob is certainly not one to make things easy for himself! I look forward to hearing about all the young people this enables the charity to help over the coming year.”

Sussex based charity, the Starr Trust removes roadblocks for young people and the funds raised will support many including nineteen year old wheelchair tennis player Nathan, who has Cerebral Palsy. Nathan’s dream is to make it to the next Paralympics playing the sport he loves and the funds raised will cover the cost of a new wheelchair he needs to give him the best chance of success.

said: “I can’t believe Rob has done this for me and other young people in need, it’s amazing, I don’t know how he does it. Rob and the Starr Trust make me feel I can achieve anything. They are such a big part of my family and are literally making this dream possible for me.”

The Starr Trust has a large number of applications from young people in need and funds raised through Rob’s challenge will support many of the new applicants reaching out for help from the charity. Awards of up to £5,000 are granted to young people aged 10-25 years to help them succeed and thrive in whatever they put their minds to. More information on how to apply is here: www.starrtrust.org/apply

Likened to Forrest Gump for his determination, Rob said: “Fifty-two Olympic Distance Triathlons completed this year and thank goodness for that. This was certainly one of my harder mental challenges rather than physical and I learnt a lot about myself and how important resilience really is.

“I certainly lived this year fixated on my main mantra of ‘control the controllables and accept the uncontrollables’. There

are so many people to thank, and I will be doing that for sure, but right now a huge thank you to everyone who helped and supported me.

“We raised an astonishing £105,000 and I hope more will come in as we have so many Young Starrs to support next year. And as for next year, to answer the question I keep being asked ‘what is next?’, all I can say is I have no idea –and that is always the exciting bit!”

The Starr Trust is extremely grateful to every single person who has supported so far for their generosity in helping to raise over £105,000. Special thanks to: Parks Agencies, Best of British Events, Brighton i360, Healys Solicitors and many more.

View the BBC South Today news feature here: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=JjZWKyUNdzQ

A weekly blog documenting Rob’s challenge: www.starrtrust. org/52x52-challenge

Fundraising link to make a kind donation is here: www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/52x52triathlonchallenge

Wheelchair Tennis Player Nathan Freeman

Images by Stephen Lawrence

Rob Starr, founder and chairperson of the Starr Trust charity, raised over

and was greeted by crowds of well-wishers - including Olympian Daley Thompson and the BBC South Today film crew.

Rob Starr completes year long triathlon challenge.

County Business Clubs’ Christmas charity fundraiser helps Sam hit target

County Business Clubs ended 2022 in style with a Christmas party charity fundraiser.

Staged on December 15th at the fantastic Malmaison Hotel, Brighton, it attracted the patronage of 100 friends, members and supporters from County Business Clubs’ growing community.

The party was the final event of Sam Thomas’s £10k Trustee Challenge, raising money for the Rockinghorse Children’s charity.

After a year of doing a variety of different challenges - running a half marathon, hosting the Rockinghorse Ryder Cup, completing 55 holes of golf in a day, jumping out of a plane with my 76 year old dad, completing my first Olympic triathlon and a 24 hour podcast - it has certainly been quite a year!

Sam said: “I am so grateful to everyone who has supported me over the year,

attended an event, sponsored me or made a donation. I could not have reached my target without you and the party was a perfect way to celebrate.

“On the night, thanks to your generosity, we raised over £1,500 on the raffle. That took me over the £10k target.

“Special thanks to Matt Warren and the team at Structured Communications who donated £500 on the night and our corporate supporters, Creative Pod and Carpenter Box, who sponsored the event. They also supported other events throughout the year.

“The event highlighted the power of community and the impact we can have when we come together and hopefully help change peoples lives.”

Sam added: “The food and staff at Malmaison were exceptional and what an amazing venue to host an event. “Also to add a touch of magic and a WOW factor to the night, we were delighted to

have our friends from Letters in Lights providing the fabulous CBC light display as well as the incredible magic mirror. The magic mirror is so much fun, helping to capture some magic moments with attendees and I would highly recommend using Alison and the team to add that something truly special to any event.

“The event was the perfect way to finish the year an,d once again, I am truly grateful to everyone who attended and everyone who has supported me and County Business Clubs this year.

“Special thanks to other sponsors this year go to Search Seven, Preston Insurance Brokers, EMC Corporate Finance, Accredo, Engage Wealth Management and Plus X.

“Thanks to the brilliant County Business Clubs team and each and everyone of you from the amazing community we look to support. Let’s have a cracking 2023!”

www.countybusinessclubs.co.uk

£10,000 raised for leading children’s charity at hotel event in Brighton

Networking & Events

The Networker will help you take your networking to the next level

When you start businesses, you’re advised to go ‘networking’.

But you’re rarely shown where, and never how to do it.

Then you have to navigate the sea of networking events out there. All in different shapes and sizes. And finding the right ones can be frustrating, and costs you precious time and money.

This is why Bradley Hatchett, Founder of Network My Club, created The Networker. A weekly newsletter aiming

to provide guidance. Arming you with the mindset, frameworks, and tools to take your networking to the next level.

What’s the definition of networking from someone who’s delivered 400+ events (and counting)?

“Becoming the person people think of, when they think of what you do.”

Released on Wednesday 11th January, the first edition of The Networker leans into why you network.

A good starting point whether you’re at the start of your networking journey, or

on a path to improve and change.

This is Bradley’s take on why you network…

Why you network

Most (if not all), answer that question with a variation of ‘to grow my business’. Great start – I can’t argue with that. But it’s quite broad. Let’s dig a little deeper.

How will networking help you grow your business?

There are many obvious reasonsnetworking can contribute to business

Bradley Hatchett, Founder of Network My Club, launches a weekly newsletter for business owners and sales leaders to step up their networking game.

Networking & Events

growth - as well as some overlooked, unconsidered and even hidden benefits. And below I’ve collated the most frequently shared.

A chance for you to consider or reassess (depending where you are in your networking journey) why you actually network.

The more obvious reasons are to:

• Meet potential new clients

• Build a professional network that’ll refer and recommend you

• Connect with and learn from others in the same position

• Explore new business partnerships

• Gain new ideas and inspiration for your business

• Ask for advice and share challenges

• Grow a personal brand and reputation within your industry

• Collaborate with others on joint projects or initiatives

• Share ideas, advice and receive feedback on products or services

Some of the less obvious or hidden reasons:

• Find new suppliers

• Source funding or investment

• Seek out mentors or advisors for your business

• Recruit staff and build a pool of potential talent

• Learn about trends and developments across various industries

• Socialise and feel a sense of community (because running a business is lonely, am I right?!)

I could go on, but all those points will contribute to you achieving that goal of growing your business.

Did you notice? There isn’t a point that relates to selling. Networking is not selling.

That’s a point I couldn’t avoid getting in

the #1 edition of The Networker.

Sales come from long term focus, investing your time, and being consistent.

Firstly, it’s about achieving the ultimate goal of networking – becoming the person people think of when they think of what you do.

Because if no one knows you, or knows of you, how will the growth come?

Consider why YOU network

Look over the list and consider two to five reasons why you’re networking. And the points that’ll likely help you achieve your business growth goals.

Everyone has different goals, which is why you find different people network for different reasons.

Knowing why you network gives you direction. They become your reference to help inform your decisions; e.g. where

to network, who with etc.

But word of warning, don’t disregard the others. Keep an open mind.

You may be speaking to someone who can’t directly help you achieve your why to networking, but you never know who they know.

That’s the beauty of networking.

Knowing the why is a great starting point – the where, what and how you can learn and are skills you can hone.

That’s where The Networker comes in.

Join the 200+ businesses already subscribed to The Networker to receive weekly tips that’ll take your networking to the next level. Sign up here: https://www.networkmyclub. co.uk/the-networker/

Bradley Hatchett

Networking club ends year with a flash dance and singing

December was another sell-out event for the Big Business Breakfast Club and we had a flash dance, with nearly 100 attendees singing 12 Days of Christmas.

The event was a whole lot of fun, and provided some great networking.

If you missed the last #BBBC of the year, in December, here’s what you missed out on.

You might be thinking ‘lucky me’anyway, I think this video helps to show what happened, it was amazing.

Huge thanks to our sponsors - Chris Dickinson from World First. The World Account from World First is designed for cross-border businesses trading in multiple currencies. For importers and exporters, whether you do business on a marketplace, your own website or offline directly with your trading partner, it’s the hassle-free way to pay and get paid quickly and easily – no

overseas address is required. This is more and more relevant every day for all types of businesses, very much worth reaching out to Chris to see if World First could be a fit for you and your business.

Chailey Heritage Foundation was the chosen charity. It provides education and care services and is one of the UK’s leading centres for children and young people with complex neuro-disabilities.

Most of the young people accessing its services have severe cerebral palsy, many have visual and/or other sensory impairments. All are wheelchair users and very few have verbal communication.

The foundation’s expertise is in maximising independence and choice, developing effective communication and providing powered mobility opportunities.

The whole team at the Big Business Breakfast Club would like to thank each and every one of you for your support throughout 2022 and look forward to seeing you back this year ,kicking off at the Old Ship on Friday 20th January.

Secure your space here - https:// www.tickettailor.com/events/ bigbusinessbreakfastclub

Our most sincere thanks goes to the many hundreds of business owners who have attended the #BBBC, Global and Juice breakfasts over the years, through lockdowns and recently, back in the real world. Thank you!

Thank you 28th Street Media for the video. Great job. You will find all 150 photos from this month’s event,over on our FB pages courtesy of XC Photography UK.

Brighton & Hove Business Show 2023 schedule

The seminar timetable for this year’s Brighton and Hove Business Show has been confirmed - and will help visitors plan their day at the event.

Networking & Events

It boasts first-class speakers, who will each bring something different to the show.

Headlining the June 8 networking extravaganza is Carlene Jackson, CEO of Brighton-based tech company Cloud9 Insight, a Microsoft Gold Partner, which has provided over a thousand businesses with cloud-based CRM software systems.

During her keynote speech, Carlene will talk about ‘How to make company culture your biggest asset for growth’.

Other speakers include Brandon Harris, Professional EOS Implementer, who will talk about ‘Simplicity is best in business’.

Emma Pearce, one of the South East’s most respected Marketing Consultants, of Pearce Marketing, will offer advice suited to a raft of professions, from business owners to sales directors. She will lead a seminar on how to boost prospects with invaluable LinkedIn tips.

Lawrence Howard, CEO of Thriiver, will tackle common challenges businesses are facing today and how, by embracing diversity, employers can overcome these to deliver growth in a seminar on the topic of ‘How diversity can support your businesses growth’.

Ben Kench is considered the UK’s top Sales and Business Growth Specialist. He is the best-selling author of ‘Selling For Dummies’ and during his seminar will share ideas and insights that take

a slightly different approach but deliver significantly better results.

He says: “In business we all need new customers and new sales…and although we all manage that, when the economy ‘tightens’ we can struggle and feel the loss.

“What if it wasn’t that way? What if there was a way to not only maintain but grow?

“What if we could transform sales and the selling process so that we enjoyed more in both volume and margin?”

Seminar Timetable

• Brandon Harris - 10.40am

• Carlene Jackson - 11.15am

• Emma Pearce - 12.10pm

• Lawrence Howard - 12.45pm

• Ben Kench - 2.10pm

Slo-Mo Networking

Brighton Chamber is bringing its Slo-Mo Networking back to Brighton and Hove Business Show from 1.20pm.

The focus will be on small groups and participants will move around, answering key questions to help them create really meaningful connections - perfect if you want to build your network efficiently and spend your networking time productively.

This event will be led by Amy Lishman, Head of Member Engagement and Deputy CEO at Brighton Chamber. She is a business match-maker, connecting people to help them grow their networks. She regularly facilitates networking, events and meetings across Brighton

with the aim of helping businesses to meet, learn and grow in the city.

Sponsor

SRC Corporate Finance has kindly agreed to sponsor the Seminar Room at this year’s show and the organiser’s thanks go to them for their generous support.

Tickets

It’s free to attend Brighton and Hove Business Show. You can register in advance and save time on the day. For tickets, visit https:// brightonandhovebusinessshow.uk/ visitor-registration/

Stands

You can still book a stand for this year’s show. For stand options and prices, visit https://brightonandhovebusinessshow. uk/book-a-stand/

Mike Monk, founder and organiser of the show, said: “I am delighted to be able to reveal the line-up for this year’s seminars. There really is something for everyone and I’m thrilled to be giving recognised experts a platform to share their very specialist knowledge with other businesses who will benefit.”

For further information about the show, visit https:// brightonandhovebusinessshow.uk/

Headline speaker - Carlene Jackson, CEO of Brighton-based tech company Cloud9 Insight, a Microsoft Gold Partner.

The Property Professionals Lunch is back

If you have been around the networking block in Brighton and Hove, Property Professionals may not be new to you, but behind the scenes it has been all change for 2023. As we wave a fond farewell to the team at Searches UK for their expert organisation of previous lunches, we herald in a new era under the guises of Sophie Campbell-Adams, of Britton and Time Solicitors, and Dan Skipp, of White House Block Management.

The lunch, held on a quarterly basis, offers a fantastic opportunity for people to network with like-minded professionals to generate business, grow connections and support local businesses all within a relaxed and friendly environment. This year’s series of lunches will also see continued support for Sussex-based Rockinghorse Children’s Charity through a series of raffles with all proceeds going towards their good cause in providing life-saving support for sick children throughout Sussex.

The lunch is not limited to the obvious property professions and anyone who works with property, would like to connect to those who do, or who provides services to the sector is welcome. This allows guests to connect with a broad spectrum of individuals that they might not meet in their usual networking circles, which could lead to new and exciting doors being opened.

We spoke to both Sophie and Dan about how they plan to take the event

Bigger and bolder than before, the Sussex-based property networking event where even those with just a smidge of an interest in property can rub shoulders with real estate titans.

Networking & Events

to the next level and how their drive and determination will allow them to do just that:

Sophie Campbell-Adams, Solicitor and Head of Property Litigation at Britton and Time Solicitors, said: “As a frequent attendee at the Property Professionals Lunch and other networking events in the local area, Property Professionals is second to none for meeting individuals from the property sector.

“In my opinion, the key to networking is simple – you need great people, great food, and a great environment for people to come together and talk. I also find that in some events, there is an over-emphasis on business and attendees will consider the event to be unsuccessful if ‘business’ is not conducted or a new lead gained.

“Networking for me is not first and foremost about generating new business (yes, it is important, but it is not the be-all and end-all), it is making genuine connections with people. Once those connections are made and established, business can then flow organically from that relationship.

“With this in mind, my focus for Property Professionals is creating an environment where those foundations can be made and where generating business is a

natural product of those connections. I am excited to breathe new life into the well-established event and take it from strength to strength. We have many exciting ideas in the pipeline that will shake up the event and entice even more professionals to attend.

“I love meeting new people who share the same passion for the property sector as me and cannot wait to welcome everyone to the event.”

Dan Skipp, Managing Director of White House Block Management, said: “Having attended the Property Professional Lunch events since 2019, I’ve seen first-hand what a great event it is and how the lunch occupies a niche that no other event does in Sussex.

“So, when the opportunity came to take the event forward and to the next level with Sophie, I jumped at the chance. I believe it’s crucial when taking over any successful event that understanding what has worked well, combined with growing the event by adding value to those attending are the keys to success.

“As a host, I want to provide greater opportunities to network before, during and after the lunch through hosting, making introductions, and helping guests to maintain long-standing relationships.

Essentially, I’m here to ensure everyone has a positive afternoon.”

To complement the two new hosts, the lunch itself has also been upgraded to include a welcome glass of fizz, alongside the usual sumptuous threecourse meal, paired with two glasses of wine per guest. And to top it all off, tickets also include an invitation to the exclusive après networking at The Cricketers, Brighton.

To kick-start January’s event, which will take place on Thursday 26 January, Sophie and Dan will be joined by guest speaker and award-winning wine connoisseur Olly Smith, courtesy of Rockinghorse. Alongside Olly’s celebrity presence, the raffle is set to feature a dazzling array of wine-based prizes for any wine aficionados.

And for those keen to attend future events, the dates for your diary in 2023 are: Thursday 20th April 2023, Thursday 20th July 2023 and Thursday 19th October 2023.

Tickets to this month’s event are available now through the Property Professionals LinkedIn, following the links to the lunch’s Eventbrite page. Or alternatively, you can contact Sophie at sca@brittontime.com or Dan at dan@ whblockmanagement.com

Big Business Breakfast Club returns with a bang

first event of 2023 will be sponsored by Safe-C Corporate and Public Safety Limited and JRL later this month.

Safe-C is an international awardwinning Sussex-based company specialising in health and safety, risk management and training for local companies.

They can an act as the ‘Competent Person’ for organisations that require health and safety support under Management Regulations.

The business has strong local links to providers of fire safety and security equipment, and specialist fire risk advice including the services of former senior fire officers holding membership of Institute of Fire Engineers. In addition it has links to the providers of office equipment, signage and safety wear.

If you are running a successful business and using valuable staff time and money on health and safety in the hope that you will get it right – it might be time to consider change

This month our sponsor has nominated Wolfram Syndrome as the beneficiary.

Wolfram Syndrome, also called DIDMOAD (Diabetes Insipidus, Diabetes Mellitus, Optic Atrophy and Deafness), is a rare genetic disorder, causing the four conditions that make up the name, as well as various other possible disorders.

Wolfram Syndrome UK (WSUK) is the only charity and website in the UK for this condition. It was started in 2010, as the only website associated with

WS was a worldwide site. There was no easy-to-read information available and no real support, as many medical professionals had or still have never heard or come across the syndrome. It was felt the UK required a website where families could find information and support that might be helpful to them.

WSUK became a registered charity in June 2013. It works closely with the two hospitals that run the WS clinics in Birmingham and host an annual conference for those affected, their families, support teams, medical professionals and researchers.

Our special guest speaker will be Elliot Hassler, the writer and director of Vindication Swim. It depicts the story Mercedes Gleitze, who in 1927 became the first British woman to swim the English Channel. The film portrays Gleitze’s upstream struggle in overcoming both the cold waters of the English Channel and the oppressive society of 1920s England. However,

after a rival comes forward claiming to have accomplished the same feat, Mercedes is forced into battle to retain her record and her legacy

We will also be joined by Alex Ryan, of Marketing 101, with his regular spot delivering marketing hints and tips to make your business pop.

Come and join us on Friday the 20th of January at the Old Ship Hotel on Brighton seafront from 8am. Book here: https://www. bigbusinessbreakfastclub.co.uk/

Make sure to get there nice and early so you have plenty of time to meet other like-minded businesspeople in the room.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a sponsor of the Big Business Breakfast Club, get in touch with the team at team@ bigbusinessbreakfastclub.co.uk

The

Networking & Events

There’s a cracking line-up of new vehicles arriving in the UK throughout the year and, for EV drivers, it’s even better news as the implementation of additional public chargers saw massive growth in 2022.

Here is what we are most excited to see this year...

New products

Good news for customers - there is a wide range of new cars and vans hitting the streets of the UK in 2023. As the the only main-dealer for MAXUS across Sussex, were delighted to announce the UK’s first all-electric Pickup Truck, the T90EV is currently on display and available to test drive from our showroom on Victoria Road in Brighton.

For more information on this highly anticipated EV, check out the Maxus T90 Rivervale review on our website.

Very soon we’ll be taking delivery of the world’s first all-electric seven-seat people carrier, the MAXUS MIFA 9, which will be ideal for larger families, as welll as luxury chauffeur and transfer services.

From other manufacturers, the offering

continues. We will see the all-new, fullyelectric Ford Transit Custom towards the end of 2023, the sporty recasting of the Audi Q8 e-tron, BMW’s popular executive saloon and estate, the 5 series goes all-electric and will be badged i5 and luxury market newcomer Genesis will enter the electrified market with the GV60, GV70 and GV80.

Meanwhile, Hyundai adds the sleek coupe-like five-door IONIQ 6 to the electrified line-up, while sister company Kia promises the EV9 a much larger version of the Kia Soul EV, delivering 320 horsepower and 310 miles of range and Nissan building on the success of the LEAF with the allnew Ariya a sleek SUV Crossover.

Say goodbye to range anxiety

Many drivers have been sceptical of making the switch to electric. However, in 2022 the electric vehicle charging infrastructure grew by 29 per cent across the UK with on-street kerbside chargers up by 23 per cent and a significant 79 per cent growth of ultrarapid chargers, according to Zap-Map.

With the number of publicly available chargers continuing to grow and the great range of all-electric or plug-in hybrid models available from Rivervale for both private and business users, 2023 should be the year you make the switch. If you are still worried about range, here are the electric cars with the longest range.

Reducing your motoring expenses

Keeping your car regularly serviced and maintained helps to keep your car in tip-top condition and could help to not only keep you and your passengers safe, but also reduce your motoring expenses in the long run.

Our Bosch Service Centre on Victoria Road in Brighton is currently offering a comprehensive Winter Health Check for just £24 inc VAT or free of charge with any service booked. Included with our compliments are an Ice Scraper, Washer Fluid and De-Icer for the colder months.

Our highly trained technicians will complete a full inspection of your vehicle including braking systems, air conditioning, check integrity of oil and fuel filters, measure oil, coolant and brake fluids, check your battery and electrical systems, transmission, tyres, wheel alignment and balancing, providing you complete peace of mind.

Are you excited for 2023? We are!

Get in touch to find out more about our leasing deals. Call us on 01273 433480

www.rivervale.co.uk

The Maxus T90EV electric pick-up truck has arrived

Maxus has raced ahead of the curve, producing the UK’s first electric pick-up truck. And it’s a much-anticipated arrival at that.

Maxus has transformed their conventional T90 pickup truck and fitted it with an all-electric kit. They coin their creation the aptly named T90EV, familiar but improved in many ways to its predecessor.

Introducing the UK’s first electric pick-up truck...

Highly capable, the Maxus T90EV is a breeze for both on and off-road driving. It’s equipped with a high-level spec and a contemporary and stylish interior.

The all-electric pick-up doesn’t compromise on range either, boasting a comfortable 220 miles (354 km) on a full charge. That’s enough to challenge some big names, such as the Ford E-Transit Custom, and Vauxhall Vivaro-e.

The T90EV also boasts a payload

of 1000kg and a towing capacity of 1500kg, which is nothing to shake a stick at.

The visually sporty and stunning exterior is complemented by a modern, sleek interior with a 10.25inch digital touchscreen instrument cluster, providing a minimalist look that still has all the components and features you need in a pick-up of this calibre. It also comes with a reversing camera and rear parking sensors as standard.

There is plenty of room for both occupants and storage - all thanks to a

neat dashboard design and floor console.

T90EV at a glance

• Battery pack capacity: 88.55kWh

• 220 miles / 354 kms Range (WLTP combined)

• 150 kW motor

• Pickup 3,300kg RWD

• Body size: 5,365 x 1,900 x 1,809mm

• Cargo box: 1,485 x 1,510 x 530mm

• Reversing camera and rain sensing windscreen wipers

• Halogen headlight with automatic induction and LED daytime running light

• 17“alloy wheels

• Stainless steel sports bar and outside rope hook

The Maxus T90EV has been available to order since August 2022, with delivery in the first quarter of 2023.

If the Maxus T90EV looks right for you, or you have any questions, give Rivervale a call on 01273 433480. Our helpful staff will be happy to answer all of your queries.

Alternatively, you can visit our website for more information.

www.rivervale.co.uk

Business manifesto - developed by the British Chambers of Commerce network

Chamber News

The 53 accredited Chambers across the UK see businesses in their communities constantly adapting to a changing environment by juggling eyewatering energy bills, labour shortages, inflation at a 40-year high, and climbing interest rates.

The British Chambers of Commerce urges the UK Government to strike the right balance for growth without compromising our great public institutions which so many of us rely on.

The Government must work with the Chambers of Commerce to support, and turbo charge the ‘can do’, solutionoriented businesses across our country. We want to see a long-term growth plan that involves investment in people and skills; supports businesses to adapt and thrive; and build good relationships with our global allies to get British businesses selling again.

People run businesses and businesses rely on people. This Business Manifesto offers solutions, including cost-free options, to get our economy moving in the right direction again.

Building British business

We want to make Britain the best place to start and grow a business.

The UK has a booming entrepreneurial spirit which has the potential to transform our country into a global economic powerhouse. However, as it

currently stands, four in ten businesses think their profits will decrease over the next 12 months and business investment is down to pandemic-era levels. We need to create the optimum business environment to build business confidence again.

Action plan

· Invest in infrastructure: Prioritise long-term growth by backing public projects, as well as green and digital infrastructure. This will allow businesses to adapt and thrive in changing times, while also creating jobs in local economies across the UK.

· Speed-up plans for regional devolution deals in England: To maximise growth and economic prosperity for all communities, local areas must be given power to make decisions on economic development opportunities. Public procurement contracts for SMEs must be simplified, and funding must continue to be funneled into local areas.

· Adjust Business Rates to encourage growth now: Business Rates should be adjusted where necessary to compensate for other cost impacts such as increased energy bills.

· Provide longer-term certainty on energy support for businesses: Government must provide certainty on how the energy support package will work from April so that businesses can plan for the future. In addition, Ofgem should be given the powers it needs to

ensure there is effective competition in the business energy market.

Invest in people now for a stable economy

The UK is facing the tightest labour market in years, with 1.2 million unfilled jobs.

Skills and labour shortages mean that employers are struggling to fill job vacancies. Firms cannot fulfil their order books and are having to turn new work away. Research shows that 76% of firms attempting to recruit are facing difficulties getting the right staff. Chambers of Commerce and their member businesses are making huge efforts to tackle the skills crisis and support the development of homegrown skills. Yet in a rapidly changing world, and at a time of high employment, it is vital that firms can also access the skills and people power they need from outside of the UK now.

Businesses and Government must work together for a more effective job market, now and for the future.

Action plan

· Bring economically inactive older workers back into work: Carefully tailor careers advice, job seeker support and rapid re-training opportunities to help employers harness the skills and experience of older workers.

· Help parents and carers access work: Simplify access to childcare funding and

Proposals for delivering growth for the business community, explained by Sussex Chamber of Commerce.

provide flexible and universal childcare entitlement for employers to attract and retain skilled people.

· Incentivise investment in human capital: Building a skilled workforce requires investment. While training costs are already tax-deductible, allowing training costs to also be claimed back under the Annual Investment Allowance would encourage businesses to invest more in their people.

· Reinstate the T Level employer incentive in England: A government funded financial incentive will encourage SMEs to offer Industry Placement opportunities.

· Introduce flexibility in the Apprenticeship Levy: This will ensure employers can support everyone in the workplace to get the training they need; and in England, any underspend should be transferred to help fund the T Level incentive.

· Urgently reform the Shortage Occupation List: This will help businesses fill urgent job vacancies when they cannot recruit locally. The List should include job roles below RQF Level 3 for sectors where there is clear evidence of a national shortage.

Raising export-led growth

International trade can make every business a better one.

Only 10% of UK businesses are exporting, yet 60% of Chamber members are exporting, which could be one of many reasons why a Chamber member is three times more likely to survive.

In our recent survey, 54% of businesses said that smoother customs procedures are the key to boosting UK exports. If Britain is to become the best place to start and grow a business, Government

must put trade, particularly exporting, at the center of its growth agenda.

Action plan

· Resolve the Northern Ireland issues: The UK Government and the European Commission should reach a negotiated solution on business compliance burdens with the Protocol on Ireland/ Northern Ireland. We expect cooperation on lowering VAT compliance burdens for SME traders, cutting red tape on food and plant exports, flexibilities on business travel, and mutual recognition of professional qualifications to boost cross-border trade in services.

· Amend sunset clause on retained EU law: This would provide regulatory certainty for businesses in tough economic times.

· Keep CE marked products and components beyond 2025/26: This should keep costs down for manufacturers and retain efficient supply chains by providing certainty.

· Set up a Trade Accelerator with DIT: Leverage Government support for exporters with trade promotion and facilitation services provided by the Chamber Network in the UK and overseas to source immediate opportunities for exports.

Leadership in green innovation

Green innovation is about change now, for a better tomorrow.

The transition to Net Zero presents businesses with opportunities to grow, by meeting Government requirements and by satisfying fast-growing global demand for environmental products and services.

Chambers of Commerce are leading the way. Our network is developing green

innovation accelerators and supply chains, providing training and support on Net Zero to drive our economy.

The biggest barriers are cost, confusion, and skills. Government has a vital role to play as an investor, enabler, and advisor to unlock business action as we move to a Net Zero future.

Action plan

· Financial incentives: Government should expand the list of energy saving products eligible for lower VAT for business such as LED lighting. They must also ensure that investments in green building improvements are eligible for Business Rates Relief and provide targeted grants to drive uptake in higher-cost items.

· Expand Green Accelerator programmes: Government should expand the Green Accelerator programmes across the country based on successful Chamber of Commerce models in partnership with a funder such as the British Business Bank. These could focus on domestic supply chains and export opportunities using UK expertise in tidal, offshore wind, nuclear, carbon capture usage and storage and other green tech.

· Energy saving public information campaign: At present, there is a confusing mix of publicly funded programmes across England and the Devolved Nations offering advice on Net Zero. Government should streamline energy saving advice into a single initiative, learning from the “Get Ready for Brexit” campaign.

sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk

When the Net Zero Champions met Caroline Lucas

First elected in 2010 and co-leader of the Green Party from 2016-18, Caroline Lucas has chaired All Party Parliamentary Groups on Climate Change and Limits to Growth and is now Deputy Chair of the APPG on Renewable and Sustainable Energy.

On 2 December, more than 50 Net Zero Champions – the Brighton Chamber members in business who are driving the journey to Net Zero – joined a Q&A, facilitated by Emma Mills-Sheffield from Mindsetup Ltd, with Caroline Lucas, discussing how to accelerate progress. Here’s a snapshot of the conversation:

What drew you to politics in the first place?

“The anti-nuclear movement got me into politics and reading Jonathan Porritt’s book Seeing Green put it into a political package for me. I marched down Clapham High Street to join the Green Party, or the Ecology Party as it was then, looking for a big building with a plaque on the wall, only to find a boxroom above a Chinese restaurant.”

How can we persuade the Government to have a proper windfall tax?

“Even BP’s chief finance officer says BP has more money than it knows what to do with, yet our windfall tax has a

massive loophole. If a company says they’ll reinvest profits into oil and gas extraction, they hardly pay anything. So, despite the Glasgow COP agreeing to stop incentivising fossil fuels, the Government has introduced this new perverse incentive.

“We need to shame the Government at every step. Telling everyone how they’re giving billions to oil and gas companies. It’s bonkers.”

How can cities do more to achieve Net Zero?

“Much of what cities can do depends on what’s allowed nationally – there’s fantastic work going on. But if we

Vicky Welstead, of Fugu, writes about how Britain’s first Green Party MP, Caroline Lucas, joined Brighton Chamber’s Net Zero Champions to answer questions and hear how to support businesses helping decarbonise our economy.

Chamber News

have more devolution, so much more could be done. We’ve listened to Andy Burnham on what he’s achieved with trams and more affordable electric buses, but that’s only because he’s been given powers to take back control. Local authorities should have the powers to be able to make the changes we need.

“If I look to Europe, I can see exciting projects to achieve Net Zero, not because they’re any more creative or committed, but because they’ve got a facilitating national framework that allows that leg up. We’re never going to level up from Westminster – we need local control.”

If we’re going to hit 1.5, how can Brighton be part of the solution, not the problem?

“By accelerating things we’re already doing. I think we’re one of the few local authorities with a circular economy officer. But we need more finance and a better national framework. One of the frustrations is we all know what to do, and the technology exists to do it. On waste, energy, food, transport. What’s lacking is a joined-up way of facilitating it.

“Much comes down to what’s allowed in terms of rules and contracts. If you sign up to a stupid PFI contract, it’s not surprising the terms of that contract 20 years on are not what you need now.”

What can micro businesses do to reduce their impact?

“The first step I’d take is reviewing where your electricity comes from. If it’s from a company with no green credentials, then switch. Or, look at where your pensions fund is going and who you’re banking with. Small businesses are struggling and it’s a difficult time for big environmental investments, but some of those things would have a big impact without much cost.”

After the Q&A the event opened into a general discussion on the challenges facing those working to build a greener economy and what can be done to remove barriers.

Harriet Dean-Orange, founder of Harriets of Hove, said: “In the last few months five zero waste shops have shut across the city. Brighton & Hove used to be known for refilling. Now there’s only a couple of us left and we’re struggling.

“We’re in unfit properties, hemorrhaging money. I feel like I’m the only one in Hove struggling to lower people’s waste. Can we stop obsessing about recycling and do more about the circular economy? What we need to do is stop creating waste in the first place. If we want other local businesses to become carbon neutral, we need to showcase the ones doing it already.”

Luke Bray, Partner at Axiom Architects,

said: “Since joining the Chamber a year ago much of our efforts to improve our circularity has been about connecting with other businesses. It’s about finding those connections where one person’s waste is another person’s produce. We need to make these circles smaller and more local.”

Find out more about Brighton Chamber, plus an unabridged version of this writeup on the Chamber website: brightonchamber.co.uk

Thank you to Vicky Welstead from Fugu for writing up the key discussion points from this event. Thanks also to Emma Mills-Sheffield for facilitating, to Caroline Lucas for joining us, and to Platf9rm for hosting.

So many of us have plenty of clothes but struggle to put an outfit together. It doesn’t make sense. Surely, if you have more clothes, you have more options?

Well, no, the more clothes you have, the harder it becomes. You end up wearing the same things over and over again and leave the rest on the hangers. The answer is a capsule wardrobe. Now bear with me. A capsule wardrobe does not mean you restrict yourself to 10, 33, 100 or any other specific number of clothes.

It means streamlining your wardrobe to fit your lifestyle, colouring, body type and personal preference. The result is a collection of clothes that mix and match easily, save you time, money and space and have you looking and feeling your best. And the best bit? It is much better for the environment.

Ready to streamline your wardrobe for 2023?

First, you must find the time to gather all your clothes in one place. That includes everything from the basement, loft, and car, EVERYWHERE. You can declutter your wardrobe in one of two ways; either

go through item by item, for example, shirts followed by trousers, etc. Or, you blitz the whole lot in one go. It depends on how much time you have and how much you have to declutter. To decide what to keep and what to donate, consider the following;

Your lifestyle

Think about what you do in a typical month and break it down from 100%. For example, you might spend 50% of your time at work, 25% at home with family, 10% out with friends, 5% at a yoga or fitness class and 10% on others; this will become the basis of your wardrobe. You

should now have an idea of how many clothes you need for each part of your life. In addition, you should consider how often you do a wash cycle or visit the dry cleaners. If you have too many multiples in your wardrobe, pick out the best options by quality, how new they are, how often you wear them and how comfortable they feel. Donate the rest.

Your colouring

Why should you care about your colouring? Because knowing which colours suit you can make a huge difference in your mood, make you look younger and healthier and enhance your best features. There are three main areas I look at when a client comes to me for a colour analysis:

The depth of colour: How bright or muted their colouring is The temperature of the colour: How warm or cool their colouring is The strength of the colour: How dark or light their colouring is

If you have yet to have a colour analysis, these simple rules can help you make the most of colour.

Firstly, look at the inside of your wrist to determine which colour will suit you best:

If your veins are... Green - you are warm-toned Purple - you are neutral-toned Blue - you are cool-toned

Next, if you have a lot of colour in your skin, hair or eyes, you will likely be able to wear brighter shades. If you have minimal colouring, you should opt for more muted shades.

Finally, you want to look at the strength of colour. The easiest way to do this is to look at yourself in a black-and-white headshot. If you are fair and have little contrast between your hair, skin and eyes, you would be better suited to pastel shades and should avoid head-to-toe dark colours. If there is high contrast between your hair, eyes and skin, for example, dark hair and pale skin, you can afford to have contrast in the colours you wear. If you have dark skin and hair, you can afford to wear bright and dark colours and have contrast in your wardrobe, but you should avoid pastels from head to toe.

Your body shape

Next, look at your wardrobe and consider which styles suit your body shape. Knowing which body shape you are can help determine which styles and cuts enhance your best features. The simple

rule is, if you are heavier on top, choose brighter, lighter, looser and patterned garments on your bottom half; if you are heavier on the bottom, select the reverse. If you are heavier around the middle, consider one block colour throughout and straight lines in overcoats etc. Avoid frills or anything fancy in places you are trying to hide. And finally, wearing something huge and baggy to conceal an area you are not happy with will only make you look bigger!!

Your wardrobe going forward

Once you have looked at your wardrobe and considered what works and what doesn’t, donate the rest and put aside anything you intend to replace. If there are garments you are unsure about, set them aside for one season, and if you do not use them by the next season, you have your answer and can donate them.

Finally, to maintain your wardrobe, consider your lifestyle, colouring, body shape and budget in every purchase. For more detailed help with your wardrobe, book a free consultation.

www.capsuleclosetstylist.com

Easy self-care hacks to integrate into

The good news is our well-being is in our control. Here are some simple and quick self-care hacks that you can weave into your busy day, to help regulate your nervous system, leaving you feel calmer and happier.

Using your morning routine to set the scene for your day

· Try to avoid starting your day by looking at your phone. Constant email and news traffic sets the tone for the

day when you should put your mental and physical health first. Start by taking some deep breaths, enjoy some gentle stretches, yoga, or a quick YouTube workout. The night before have your clothes ready so you can quickly get dressed and work out and start the day by producing endorphins.

· Meditate for 10 minutes. Start with breathwork to feel more focused and calm by simply exhaling longer than the inhalation for 1-2 minutes. Use visualisation by visualising yourself working hard on your goal, making

it happen and enjoying the process. Repeat positive affirmations to cultivate a happy mindset (i.e. I can do this, I am good enough, etc). Use meditation to align our busy minds with our bodies, bring ourselves back to the here and now so that we reduce anxiety about the future or the past.*

· Set your intentions for the day in a journal before you start working on your to-do list, and think about how you want the day to go and the energy that you will bring.

We live in a constant state of change and uncertainty. There are many economic challenges out of our control that can create anxiety.

Lifestyle

your busy working day

· Practice gratitude at the start and end of each day by focusing on what you are thankful for. Use gratitude to help manage the negative bias in your brain. Some of the happiest people practice gratitude daily.

Mindfulness during your working day

· Integrate mini mindfulness moments throughout the day when you are brushing your teeth, making a coffee, etc all you need to do is notice how you are feeling, come back to the present moment, take some deep breaths and scan your body for any tension. You can place a small sticker on some of your belongings, for example your phone as a reminder to do this

· In your lunch break try to get out for a walk-in nature and mindfully use all your senses to take everything in and recharge your inner batteries.

· Do some chair yoga and benefit from gentle neck rolls and stretching your shoulders which helps prevent poor posture, and potential health issues.

• Before you send an important email or deliver a presentation take one or two minutes to think about your intentions, and shift from being reactive to being present in the moment. How will your message via email or presentation be received?

· Start meetings by giving everyone one minute to connect with the present moment, take some deep nurturing breaths, then do a check-in to find out how everyone is feeling. You will have a far more productive meeting.

· Set intentions for when you attend a meeting and be fully present by using active listening. A report by Business Insider highlights that apparently only 2% of the population can properly and effectively multitask.

· Where possible can you have walking meetings? Avoid back-to-back meetings, if possible block out short breaks in your calendar and protect that time.

· Utilise the power of visualisation. Some of the happiest and most successful sports professionals use visualisation to achieve their goals. If you are feeling nervous then try visualising the process, what you are going to say, do and wear etc.

· Focus on positive quotes and affirmations. Tune out of the negative headlines in the news and focus on inspiring quotes and affirmations that you really connect with you. Have your favourite affirmations or quotes stuck to your laptop as a constant reminder.

Evening

· Leave work at work/home office and try challenging yourself to have a time

of day that you must switch off by, to reclaim your evening for yourself.

· Focus on self-compassion, do you speak to yourself in a compassionate way? The most important relationship you will have is the one that you have with yourself. Forgive yourself for any mistakes, look at ways to develop and think about how you want to show up tomorrow and what you want to achieve.

· Go to sleep by reflecting on what you are most proud of and grateful for.

· Use music to help you to get yourself into the right mindset and create the right energy for whatever you are working on.

· Use visualisation to help you relax and drift off to sleep by imagining you are in your happy place.

· Prioritise sleep

Please get in touch if you are interested in learning more about developing a bespoke wellbeing programme including mindfulness or yoga in the workplace. I share lots of tips on Linkedin.

Telephone: 07841108460 Website: themeditationeffectwithcara.com

* If you have any health conditions prior to participating in breathwork, please consult a doctor.

Sources of inspiration: Jay Shetty, Brene Brown and Mel Robbins

County Business Clubs’ Wine of the Month January 2023

Limited release sparkling red from Plumpton Estate is this month’s top wine buy.

Happy New Year! As we start 2023, we see the vineyards in a bare dormant state waiting for the vines to be pruned in preparation for the forthcoming season. The low arch of the sun creates a mistiness on the vineyards first thing in the morning.

Plumpton Estate Vineyard

For this month’s Wine of the Month, we have chosen our friends at Plumpton Estate, near Ditchling Beacon, in East Sussex, who typically produce around 40,000 bottles of wine covering a range from the traditional Champagne grape varieties - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier - but also more popular English varieties, such as Bacchus (essence of elderflower and citrus) together with lesser know grapes such as Ortega and Riesling.

The estate’s college is a centre of excellence, offering degree-level education for students across the world. It is one of the only institutions in the Northern hemisphere to offer degree level academic and vocational education taught in the English language. The students work with the lecturers to create the wines each year.

Plumpton Sparkling Pinot Noir 2018

From Plumpton’s wide range of wines, we have chosen the newly-launched Sparkling Pinot Noir which is quite unusual due to it being a sparkling red wine instead of sparkling white pinot noir. The key difference is that most Pinot

Noir is pressed and immediately removed from the skins, providing a clear liquid which is used to make traditional sparkling wines. In this instance, the reason the wine is red is due to extended contact with the skins of the Pinot Noir grapes.

Having a sparkling red wine is unusual but not unique as, in Australia, there is a tradition of sparkling red wines such as a sparkling Shiraz.

There are only around 600 bottles of the Sparkling Pinot Noir 2018, so this is a limited release from Plumpton Vineyard.

How the sparkling Pinot Noir is made

As a single varietal Pinot Noir, the wine is pressed lightly to extract flavour and complexity then the base wine is fermented to 9%.

After a primary stabilisation, the liqueur de tirage is added to the wine then it is bottled. The wine is aged for two years, then riddled, disgorged and labelled, making this a traditional method sparkling wine.

Wine makers tasting notes

Raspberry and cherry take centre stage whilst the nose touches on notes of shortbread and toast. Pairs well with white meats when chilled and cheeses too.

Food pairings

Pairs well with white meats when chilled and cheeses too.

Michael’s tasting notes

For me, what I love about this wine is the lightness and fruitiness that comes through. It has lovely bubbles coating your tongue with lashings of cherries. This is a perfect wine to accompany BBQ’s with smoked meats.

Wine specifications

Grape Varietals - Pinot Noir (100 %) Wine Style - Traditional Method Sparkling Red ABV % - 12 %

Where to buy?

You can buy directly from Plumpton College, Brighton and Hove Wine Club or local specialist vintners. Get it whilst you can as these 600 bottles will not last the year!

Michael Yeoman, Founder

Brighton and Hove Wine Club and Spirit of the Downs – Great Taste Producer, Winner of Great Taste 3 Star Award and IWSC Bronze www.spiritofthedowns.co.uk