SBT issue 477

SUSSEX BUSINESS TIMES

MAYO WYNNE BAXTER’S JOURNEY

MAGGIE ALPHONSI

• Complimentary Drinks Reception

• 3 Course Lunch

• Raffle & Auction in aid of The Starr Trust

SBTWelcome

Welcome to another edition of SBT

We all know that the business landscape is a constantly shifting terrain. But predicting which direction the winds of change will blow isn’t always straightforward. That is why it is good to know the Sussex brands most likely to guide businesses through both subtle and significant gear shifts are already ahead of the curve.

Our cover story, which focuses on Mayo Wynne Baxter changing business for good, is not an isolated example of how one business is helping others - by staying ahead of the curve.

Elsewhere in the magazine, we meet firms from outside of the legal sector which are also breaking boundaries to offer tomorrow’s products and services today. GoSucceed is one, with its market leading Growth Programme. You will find others in the financial sphere, alongside innovative brands in healthcare, hospitality, fashion, and more.

Of course, technology is a major driver of change, with automation and artificial intelligence streamlining tasks and reshaping workforces. We meet Simpler With AI and discover how it is teaching businesses to really make the most of what artificial intelligence has to offer.

Customers, empowered by information, demand transparency, ethical practices and personalised experiences. This translates to a move away from rigid hierarchies to flatter, more collaborative structures. The emphasis is on agile teams tackling challenges quickly by fostering innovation.

If you feel your business is getting left behind, this issue will have some pointers to get you back on track. And we also give you a nod in the direction of some up-coming events, like next month’s Brighton & Hove Business Show, that will offer you the opportunity to explore more in person.

While change can be daunting, it’s also exciting. Beyond ever-advancing tech and learning new skills, there are fresh opportunities to be seized and new horizons to aspire to.

I am delighted that the Sussex Business Times is able to showcase the brands with those horizons already within their sights.

Sam Thomas, Managing Director

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

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The Business Group Sussex Ltd. Licenced to TBG by Pixel Publications Ltd Unit 1a Swan Barn Business Centre, Swan Barn Road, Hailsham, BN27 2BY

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Monthly News

Black culture is to be celebrated in Brighton with a brand new festival and Sussex PR boss to host a charity event at the Amex Stadium. Meanwhile, staff from American Express lend their support to a young people’s project.

Value Added Partner Stories

County Business Clubs Sussex introduces you to Matt Freeman, Director of The Numbers Studio.

Finance

Carpenter Box offers an unofficial guide to preparing for an audit and Servo Private Wealth reveals how it helps business owners achieve lasting financial freedom.

Legal

Doing things differently - how Cognitive Law is changing the way businesses use legal services. Mayo Wynne Baxter outlines alternatives to the Family Court and 365 Employment Law Solicitors explain recent employment law changes in detail.

Cover

Rebecca Louis, a private client partner at Mayo Wynne Baxter, reveals how the Sussex law firm is changing the world of business for good.

We discover how GoSucceed’s Growth Programme is transforming local businesses.

Motoring

Find out how your business can get ahead with the all-new Maxus eDeliver 5 and Rivervale updates us on the role it played in this year’s Brighton Marathon weekend.

Blues and Yellows battled it out in this year’s Rockinghorse Children’s Charity Ryder Cup. We reveal the winning team!

Networking

Have you trained your team to get the most out of AI? Simpler With AI explains all the business benefits.

Networking

Women’s health in the workplace, Brighton & Hove Business Show sponsors the next meeting of the Big Business Breakfast Club, Brighton Fringe is back and event news from Sussex Cricket Foundation. Meanwhile, Mike Monk explains now is the time to register for your free ticket to Brighton & Hove Business Show.

Chamber News

Brighton Chamber explains exactly how the Living Wage impacts local businesses.

Lifestyle

The Agora Clinic throws the spotlight on men and explains why they are the silent sufferers on the infertility journey. Looking to boost your wardrobe for Spring? Velvet is here with its top fashion picks! This month’s Hospitality Hotspot is Tottington Manor.

Wine of the Month

This month’s offering from wine expert Michael Yeoman comes from Kingscote Vineyard.

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BARCO launches Brighton BASH Carnival celebrating black culture

The Brighton BASH Carnival, a community celebration of black culture in Brighton & Hove, is coming to St Ann’s Well Gardens.

Monthly News

Brought to you by BARCO (Black AntiRacism Community Organisation), the event will take place on Saturday 27th July 2024, 11am to 7pm. The carnival represents an intentional statement that all are welcome in Brighton and Hove aligning with Brighton and Hove City Council’s vision for an anti-racist city. In its 3 previous years, the carnival has emerged as Brighton’s most family-friendly, diverse and inclusive event.

BARCO provides opportunities for Brighton’s Black communities and their allies to join together, making space for joy as a tonic to challenge racism and oppression in our city. ‘BASH’ is an

acronym for ‘Building Alliance, Solidarity & Hope’, and this event promises to bring people together for a day filled with music, dance, food and celebration.

The Brighton BASH Carnival will honour and amplify the voices, traditions and contributions of Black communities. A key feature will be the parade held within the boundaries of the park - this year’s theme is flags and masks.

Bud Johnston, founder of BARCO, said: “Brighton deserves a carnival and parade that celebrates more. Forget being tolerable and performative, the Brighton BASH Carnival is an intentional statement that all are welcome here. We need as many supporters as possible to make this a reality.”

BARCO’s Brighton BASH Carnival is free to attend and open to all members of the community. For more information and updates, please visit their website or follow BARCO Brighton on social media.

Local organisations supporting this event include Brighton & Hove City Council, Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club, Brighton Fringe, Friends of St Ann’s Well and Sussex Police, as well as many other organisations such as The Actor’s, Afrori Books, Audio Active, A Seat At The Table, BIMM, Black Tri Tribe, BMEYPP, BN1 Arts, Boxless LTD, Brighton Book Festival, ICTheatre, Men Of Melanin, Rivervale, Waterbear, and Women of Colour Brighton.

Contact: info@brighton-barco.org

Sussex PR boss to host charity fundraiser at The Amex

Football supremo Tony Bloom and Brighton music legend Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim) are once again teaming up to promote this year’s Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis lunch at The Amex on Thursday, October 10.

Monthly News

Tony Bloom and Norman Cook will join Sussex PR boss, and organiser, Tim Cobb, and an audience of 200 business people and Brighton football fans. Tony will be on stage to do a Q+A with Tim and take questions from the audience.

Overcoming MS chief executive Alex Holden will explain about the great work that the charity is doing to support people with MS. Posturite has once more agreed to be the headline sponsor.

“Our 2023 lunch saw the brightest and best from the Sussex business community on parade at The Amex,” Tim said. “I had great feedback from them all and –amazingly – they have all signed- up again for this year’s lunch. I am just so grateful for their continued support.

“We raised an incredible £25k for Overcoming MS and helped spread the word about the amazing work of the charity.”

offered lunch for two, Skerritts put on lunch at Etch, and Brighton Gin came forward with a lovely gift set.

Raz Helalat, who runs four restaurants in Brighton, offered an amazing set of vouchers for his fine dining venues, Norman Cook auctioned money-can’tbuy tickets for one of his performances, Tony Bloom raided his wine cellar, Andrew Crabb at the Porsche Centre Mid Sussex offered an exclusive Silverstone driving experience, Rathfinny

“I am so grateful to all the sponsors for their wonderful generosity last year. They were supported by auction masters Sam Thomas and James Dempster, while the amazing Ryan Heal compared a brilliant Heads and Tails competition,” Tim explained.

Tim was diagnosed with MS in 2012 and found great support and encouragement from Overcoming MS and its chair, Linda Bloom.

“Many people will know, or know of,

Brighton football club owner Tony Bloom,” Tim said. “What they will not be aware of is that Tony’s wife Linda founded Overcoming MS 10 years ago. Today, as President of the organisation, Linda and the Overcoming MS team continue to support and give hope to thousands of people around the world struggling with this debilitating and degenerative disease.”

If you are interested in attending the lunch, priced £85+vat per person, please contact tim@cobbpr.com

Value Added Partner Stories

We

chat to Matt Freeman, Director of The Numbers Studio

Tell us about the Numbers Studio story.

As someone who grew-up with a multi-generation familyowned business, I assumed that being an accountant meant being out in the community working with businesses…

However, when I started working at a traditional accountancy firm as a graduate back in 2006, I soon realised we were wearing pinstripe suits in our offices, sat behind our computer screens. Whilst our clients were out there running businesses in the real world and crying out for our help!

The seed of an idea for Numbers Studio had been sown…

Eventually, in 2014, The Numbers Studio was born in Brighton as a solution to the problem I’d spotted nearly a decade earlier… This year we’ll be celebrating our 10th birthday as a passionate contributor to the Brighton business community!

What has been your biggest business challenge to date?

Finding balance. Whether balancing team capacity to workload, personal life vs business life, health vs wealth, pushing hard vs being passive…there just always seems to be a trade-off at every turn. I’ve found thinking long-term helps. I make better quality decisions thinking over five years rather than five days.

What has been your greatest or proudest business achievement to date?

We’re not the heroes of this story - our

clients are! Business owners are in the heat of battle every single day. It’s a bumpy ride being in business over the long-term and not for the faint hearted.

My proudest moment (so far) at Numbers Studio, was when a client, unable to afford to run a car when we first met, built a quality business and sold it for a seven figure sum three years later. The sale changed the lives of everyone in his family and it couldn’t have happened to a kinder, more deserving person.

What type of clients do you currently work with and who are you looking to meet?

We work with owner-managed, trading businesses as a trusted finance partner. We’re by our client’s side

throughout their business journey.

We work with start-ups through to scaling businesses with £10m turnover and 50+ staff, where we’ll often plug-in as an outsourced finance team as an alternative to client’s hiring internally.

We’ve also carved out a bit of a specialism in creative services, particularly events and hospitality due to our Brighton roots.

Tell us a story/fact about yourself that people might not know.

I’ve met the King…he had the shiniest shoes I’ve ever seen worn by a human.

www.numbers.studio

Young students Dare to Dream - thanks to volunteers from American Express

The Love Local Jobs Foundation has partnered with Hove Park School to mentor students and help them realise their potential through the support of the Dare to Dream programme.

Monthly News

Dare to Dream is a series of events that aim to boost the confidence and employability skills of young people across Sussex.

As part of the Dare to Dream programme, Year 9 students from Hove Park School have been participating in a total of four inspirational sessions throughout the Spring Term.

These sessions include engaging assemblies delivered by Head of Programme Delivery at the Love Local Jobs Foundation, Jack Hayes, to 260 students. In addition, a cohort of 15

students are part of workshops, and mentoring sessions to help them gain the confidence they need to fulfil their potential and realise their ambitions.

Five American Express volunteers are mentoring the cohort of 15 students to help build their confidence, resilience and understanding of teamwork to support their workplace readiness. For the past 10 years, American Express colleagues have been supporting the Love Local Jobs Foundation and in doing so have mentored 150 children.

In addition, these students will head onsite to American Express’ offices in Brighton to get a taste of what the

world of work is like and help raise their aspirations for the future.

These workplace visits have proved to be a key component of the programme over the years. Giving the students the chance to visit one of the most wellknown employers in Brighton will be very helpful for their future.

To read more about Dare to Dream, visit - https://www. lovelocaljobsfoundation.org.uk/

Preparing for an audit: the unofficial survival guide

By Kristina Perry, Client Service Director at Carpenter Box.

If you are reading this article, it is likely that you are currently preparing for, or are actively engaged in, the audit for your company or organisation. Regardless of whether you are embarking on your inaugural audit experience or possess considerable expertise in all things audit, here we provide you with valuable insights into the audit process and how to prepare for it.

What are the benefits of being prepared for an audit?

It is a common misconception that an audit is a statutory ‘tick box’ process with little value other than a nice shiny audit report at the end of it. An audit, if prepared for effectively, can provide many benefits to a company or organisation. These benefits include the improvement of systems, controls, processes, and financial reporting. It can also promote transparency, accuracy, and accountability.

In recent years, we’ve seen some epic audit failures that have had us all scratching our heads in bewilderment. These incidents have raised serious questions about the effectiveness of the audit ‘ecosystem’ and a key part of that ecosystem is the organisation itself. So, being prepared for your company’s audit can significantly contribute to improving the quality of the audit which can only ever be a positive thing.

How to identify the need for an audit

The first step in preparing for an audit is knowing whether your company or organisation needs an audit. Generally, financial thresholds dictate when an audit is needed. For other types of organisations, such as charities, there are different statutory thresholds in place.

Most companies will only have an audit when they are required by law to have one. However, there may be other reasons why a company or organisation may need one. For example, shareholders may request a voluntary audit, or banks may require an audit as part of their conditions for providing certain facilities. All these things need to be considered when concluding whether an audit is needed.

Understand the financial reporting framework

Without financial statements, it is

evident that the necessity for an audit would not exist. Therefore, it is important to have a clear understanding of the financial reporting framework that governs the accounts of your company or organisation. By having this understanding, you will be equipped to identify balances and disclosures that may need substantial judgement or estimations. Early identification gives you more time to consider them and to collate the information that you need.

There are changes on the horizon in terms of UK GAAP so identifying and assessing the impact of these changes will help you be better prepared for when your auditor comes knocking.

Team availability and experience

The team that is involved in the audit process is important so ensuring their availability is critical before agreeing to a timetable with your auditor. Understanding your team’s capacity levels is important to ensure they have sufficient time to deal with the audit. The length of the audit process, from planning to completion, varies significantly based on the size of the company or group being audited. Obtaining an understanding of this from your auditor can help you to plan.

Your team should possess the necessary experience and expertise to prepare the information that the auditor requires. If there is a gap in the required knowledge or experience, then being prepared for the audit means you can act early to address this. For example, engaging a third party to carry out pension or property valuations.

Timing and quality of information

Establish a well-defined schedule and key milestones in collaboration with your auditor well in advance of the audit. This should include the timing of when certain information needs to be given to them. This information should be in the form of a comprehensive list of deliverables to eliminate the

need for guesswork. It’s important to exercise due diligence in compiling and presenting the information to ensure it is clear, concise and of the quality required to minimise subsequent enquiries and reduce the chance of audit overruns.

The bar for auditors is constantly being raised by the regulators of the profession. Therefore, be prepared for your auditor to be more challenging and sceptical of the information that you provide to them.

Effective communication and feedback

Effective communication is vital in preparing for an audit. Like Christmas, it happens annually, but auditors appreciate year-round engagement. Keeping them informed about any changes or relevant issues that crop up during the year will make the audit process smoother when it comes around. Also, confirm your preferred communication methods with your auditor. This enhances the audit process’s efficiency by aligning communication tools with your team’s preferences.

Expect the audit to uncover process, system, and control weaknesses. Use this feedback to drive improvement. Auditors aim to enhance, not criticise your operations. Additionally, discuss and rectify any financial statement errors or misstatements they identify.

Once the audit report is signed, don’t shelve the process until next year. Hold a debriefing meeting with your team and the auditor. This helps identify areas for process improvement, ensuring a smoother audit in the future.

Want to know more?

At Carpenter Box, we can deliver real benefits out of the annual audit process, beyond your compliance needs. For more information, please contact a member of the audit team by calling 01903 234094 or visit www.carpenterbox.com

Planning for success: how Servo Private Wealth helps business owners achieve financial freedom

Read this if you want to thrive financially not just today but also tomorrow.

In all areas of life, but especially business, the age-old adage rings true: failing to plan is planning to fail. At the multi award-winning financial services firm Servo Private Wealth, this principle is not just a saying; it’s at the heart of their service and is a mantra they instil in their clients.

Led by CEO and Chartered Wealth Manager James Mallinson, Servo specialises in helping business owners do sensible things with money. Their advice and expertise ensure business owners not only thrive financially in the present, but also secure their future prosperity.

Solving problems and achieving goals

When it comes to extracting profits from your business, there are several avenues to explore, each with its own tax implications, making it easy to become overwhelmed. Maximising expenses, benefits in kind, salary and/or drawing dividends, planning for retirement, investing surplus cash, and exit planning are all areas that need to be considered, but it’s essential to navigate these options carefully to maximise your financial gain and minimise tax liabilities.

At Servo, the focus is clear: ensuring business owners can efficiently extract profit from their organisation whilst still working, and then never worry about money or run out of it and enjoy life when they stop. James and the team work with multiple businesses

and their associated families across Sussex and the wider UK region, helping them articulate their goals, visualise them and then put plans in place to deliver financial peace of mind for the future.

Everyone will have something related to money or their finances which they wish to protect, preserve or grow, and we want to be there with them every step of the way to help them achieve those goals.

“Quite simply, we help business owners do sensible things with money, whether that’s managing cash, investments, insurance, pensions, property, debt, business sales and acquisitions, passing on wealth and avoiding inheritance tax, and everything else in-between,” said CEO James. “It’s about ensuring that they can enjoy the fruits of their labour and not have to worry about money.”

Innovative solutions and exceptional service

The innovative way of thinking and exceptional service of James and his team was exemplified recently when they were invited to pitch to a client who had recently sold his business.

“We found ourselves in a beauty parade competing against a number of other firms, some with larger marketing budgets and more established client bases and reputations,” said James. “However, our approach at Servo goes beyond the conventional. Right from the outset, we prioritised collaboration by involving their other professional advisers at our first meeting – something that many of our competitors don’t do. This collaboration proved to be transformative, leading to a seven-figure tax saving for the client. By thinking outside the box, we identified innovative

ways to significantly reduce their tax bill and help them achieve their financial goals without large fees or risk.”

James continues: “The client was thrilled with the outcome as they not only benefited from a substantial tax saving, but also felt that we’d given them the right advice for them at that time and weren’t just telling them to invest their money into an investment or product, which was the advice they’d been given elsewhere. As a result, they’ve become one of our most enthusiastic sources of referrals and a good friend.”

It is unsurprising then, that this commitment to providing value through collaborative thinking and bespoke solutions, has made Servo Private Wealth a go-to firm and trusted partner in financial services for business owners in the South-East.

Planning for the future

So how does this all begin? Working with James and the team at Servo starts with meticulously understanding their clients at a deep level and finding out what matters to them; how they want to live their life if money were no object, and then planning for the future to make it happen. In today’s world, the need for being able to live off passive income or planning for a life away from work is vital, and for business owners particularly, it necessitates a creative, proactive, and informed approach.

James said: “It involves not only setting aside savings but also making astute investment decisions, staying abreast of market trends and adapting to evolving economic conditions. We can advise on longer-term strategies for life after work or the possible future sale of a company, ensuring clients are well-prepared for whatever the future holds.

“We can also make clients aware of changes in regulations so that they can take appropriate action and offer advice on any tax, financial, or business planning arrangements they should consider. Our aim is to relieve clients of these worries so that they can concentrate on running their business.”

Expertise, independence and excellence

As an independent advisory firm, Servo Private Wealth (unlike many other firms) are not owned by any investment house or product provider, meaning their recommendations are solely based on the best interests of their clients, and their fees are charged for their time and expertise, not for taking out products.

“Our flexible charging structure, which includes hourly rates, monthly retainers, fixed fees, or in some cases a percentage-based fee for investment advice, reflects our commitment to transparency and client satisfaction. Moreover, unlike many of our competitors, our fees are capped, providing additional value and saving them even more money when compared to the rest of the marketplace,” said James.

With a background that includes a successful career in the City including senior roles at a large corporate investment firms, James and his team have a wealth of experience in working with clients who have very complex circumstances ranging from high-net-worth individuals, celebrities, professional athletes, business owners, retirees, divorcees, multigenerational families, and everything in-between. It’s highly likely they have worked with, or have seen just about every type of financial problem going, and are able to bring this experience to the business community in Sussex.

Looking to the future

James said: “It is, of course, important to bear in mind your overall tax and long-term financial position when considering the various options for extracting profits. For example, you do not want to end up unnecessarily losing allowances, paying too much tax or missing out on reliefs from the Government because you’ve made the wrong decision and not sought help.”

He concludes by saying: “Planning for success is not just about navigating the present; it’s about securing a prosperous future. We are dedicated to empowering business owners with the tools, strategies, and expertise they need to achieve their financial goals and build a legacy that lasts for generations to come.”

James and the Servo Private Wealth team welcome the opportunity to engage with SBT readers, offering a free of charge, no-obligation initial consultation to explore how they can assist with any financial needs and add value to their position.

Please get in touch via info@ servoprivatewealth.com or on 01444 715200 to know more or to request our detailed guide on how to extract profits from your business.

Disclaimer: Servo Private Wealth Limited is an appointed representative of Best Practice IFA Group Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Servo Private Wealth Limited is entered on the FCA register under reference 913631. Servo Private Wealth Limited is registered in England, no. 12125902.

www.servoprivatewealth.com

Lucy Tarrant

Changing the way businesses use legal services

Cognitive Law has always been a law firm trying to do things a bit differently.

The legal sector is not renowned for big changes, and law firms can often be perceived as traditional or behind the times. Does that mean that small changes within the legal sector are actually quite seismic? Lucy Tarrant, Managing Director of Cognitive Law, thinks so. Here, she is interviewed by SBT’s Sam Thomas.

As well as its life-altering consultant

solicitor model, Cognitive Law is also changing the way it delivers legal services to its clients. We asked Lucy to explain exactly what the firm is doing:

To set the scene, Lucy, how do businesses use legal services? Do they come to you on an ad hoc basis at a time of crisis, or do they retain you on a constant basis?

Lucy: Let’s start by looking at a business that uses legal services on

an ad hoc basis, instructing a firm of solicitors as and when a legal issue arises. For example, a business is expanding, taking on new employees and needs some employment contracts drawn up. They instruct a firm of solicitors to draft the contracts and get back to running their business. A few months later that business realises that having new employees means it’s outgrown its office space and takes the decision to buy a commercial premises. So, it looks around for a law firm to deal

with exiting its existing premises and buying the new one. Several months after that, the business is doing so well that it wants to bring investing stakeholders into the business and needs a new shareholder’s agreement. Once again it looks for a law firm that can deal with that. Each time it is looking for a different service and potentially using a different firm.

Using your example above, what’s wrong with using a different law firm for a different service?

Lucy: The time a business invests when instructing a law firm is phenomenal. Finding and instructing a firm on an ad hoc basis is a bit like dating, each time testing out whether you get on, whether you can work together and whether you are going to get what you want out of the relationship. What Cognitive Law does is take the time at the outset to understand all the business’ needs, inside out, now and in the future. We get a full understanding of how the business works and consider what their legal requirements are by looking at it holistically rather than by a matter-by-matter basis. This means that the business never has to repeat itself or provide the same getting to know you information every time a legal requirement arises. We draw all that business’s legal requirements under one roof, in an affordable and accessible way.

But surely all law firms do this, so that their clients keep coming back?

Lucy: To a degree, but at Cognitive Law each business has a designated solicitor with whom they build their relationship and who understands them. Naturally that solicitor can not assist in each area of legal specialism, instead they ensure that any matter with which they can not assist is only

conducted by a colleague whom they have fully briefed and personally introduced the client to – at no cost to the client.

That sounds a bit more cohesive, I like the idea of having one designated solicitor looking after me. But surely all law firms have that?

Lucy: Quite possibly, but what many law firms lack is bespoke packages that allow businesses to outsource all their legal requirements to one firm. A package that covers everything they need from employment advice to dispute resolution and everything in between.

The packages that Cognitive Law offers are tailored to the business’s needs and come with complete flexibility to adapt and change as the business evolves. Some months a business may need more legal requirements then others. Having an outsourced legal team in place means that any legal work can be done quickly and easily by a firm which already knows how that business operates.

I’m still thinking that all firms offer, or could offer, to handle all of a business’ legal work.

Lucy: Sure, but what those firms may not offer is access to an outsourced legal team that can be available when the business needs them, not just when their solicitor is in the office. Cognitive Law is a consultancy where all solicitors are self-employed remote workers, which enables them to flex their time to suit a business’s immediate needs. A business is able to contact Cognitive Law any time is needs, with direct access to a solicitor. Plus, every consultant solicitor runs their own small business, so they have a first-hand understanding of a business’s pain points.

I’m liking the sound of a solicitor who

is available when I need them. How does outsourcing to Cognitive Law work in practice?

Lucy: We collaborate with a business right from the start to design a package which includes detailed project scoping to avoid creep. As I have previously mentioned a business gets a key contact to manage their outsourced legal services and provide regular reports as matters unfold.

And the ultimate question, how much does this cost because it sounds really expensive?

Lucy: Outsourcing a business’s legal requirements actually allows it to reduce its legal spend and leverage the cost efficiencies of only using a service when they need it. It removes the pressure to find a reliably good solicitor, who knows the business, exactly at the moment they need one –because there is already one there!

Prices to outsource legal requirements differ from firm to firm, but at Cognitive Law we offer monthly retainers combined with defined fixed fees at a price point suited to each individual business. This enables them to consolidate and refine their legal spend without compromising on quality, and leaves them to get on with running their business.

We believe that using a law firm as an outsourced legal department is incredibly attractive for forward thinking companies. It gives a business access to expert advice across all legal departments as and when they need it, at a cost that they decide and control.

www.cognitivelaw.co.uk

Alternatives to Family Court

By Karen Jeary, Partner at Mayo Wynne Baxter.

We understand that the decision to end a marriage is one of the hardest a couple will face and it is not made easier by the prospect of having to ‘go to battle’ with one another in the Family Court.

Legal

The President of the Family Division, Andrew McFarlane, has recently said that “to end up ‘fighting’ a case in the Family Court is a sign of failure and… often a cause for true loss in terms of emotional and mental well-being”.

To issue court proceedings is never an option we advise our clients to take lightly and should truly be seen as the last resort. We recognise the impact that court proceedings can have both personally and on the family as a whole, so will always discuss the various options available to resolve matters and find the best approach.

This may involve the following options to avoid the need for going to court:

‘Kitchen Table’ agreements

These are agreements reached by

couples discussing their financial positions and arrangements for the children without the need for solicitor involvement. Many couples can reach an arrangement this way but it is always advisable to seek some legal advice to make sure the terms reached are fair on both parties and of course to record any agreement.

Mediation

Mediation is a voluntary process in which a separating couple meets with an unbiased and neutral third-party family mediator who guides the parties through

their discussions to help them towards reaching an amicable agreement. Mediation can be used to reach a financial settlement and also assist in reaching an agreement in respect of care arrangements for the children.

Mediators are not able to give legal advice but can help couples to reach an agreement. The parties retain control of the decision as to whether or not they settle and on what terms.

Mediators do charge for their services, and the cost is usually met equally, despite there being a cost to the process it is ultimately a more costeffective alternative to court.

Agreements reached in mediation are not legally binding unless and until they are approved by the Court. It is always recommended to get legal advice on the terms agreed, what steps are required to record the agreement and implement the terms.

Hybrid mediation

This follows the same format as standard mediation but allows the parties’ solicitors (if they have them) to be involved in the discussions.

This is particularly useful when there are complex matters involved, as experts can be included to assist in the process by using their considerable skills and knowledge to work towards achieving a suitable settlement.

Collaborative law

Collaborative law is a process in which the parties each have a lawyer specially trained in collaborative law, and all have a shared commitment to avoid litigation. It typically involves informal discussions and joint meetings for the purposes of settling all issues.

Everyone involved in the process signs an agreement at the outset not

to go to court and the mutual aim will be to reach a fair and equitable settlement.

The benefits of this approach are that a more flexible and creative solution adapted to both parties’ needs can be achieved, rather than the more rigid approach adopted by the Family Court. Additionally, the parties will benefit from the strength of two lawyers working together rather than in opposition.

The ultimate goal of the collaborative approach is to enhance communications between the couple and set the foundations for a healthy relationship after separation. Collaborative law works best when there is a commitment to be respectful and honest, with a drive and determination to resolve the most important issues.

Private Financial Dispute Resolution (FDR)

This is used solely as a means to resolve financial disputes between parties and involves the private instruction of a senior solicitor/barrister, or retired judge, to conduct a hearing. Both parties have the opportunity to put their case forward before the judge gives their opinion as to what the likely outcome would be if the matter was heard in court.

The instruction of the private judge is a joint one and so the parties typically share his or her fees equally. It can be a costly exercise but is ultimately a very effective way of achieving the best possible outcome for clients whilst avoiding the stress of lengthy court proceedings.

Arbitration

Both parties will jointly appoint an arbitrator to deal with all stages of the case in what is essentially privately

funded litigation. Both parties agree at the outset to be bound by the arbitrator’s decision but the process itself gives much more flexibility to those involved – the parties and their solicitors can choose the date and place for the ‘hearing’ rather than be reliant on the court listings and are in control of whether to appoint the arbitrator for the duration of the process.

For this reason, arbitration is a very useful option to couples who would prefer to avoid the stress of court proceedings, especially in respect of resolving financial matters.

If you need any assistance with a Family Law matter, please do not hesitate to contact our experienced Family Team at Mayo Wynne Baxter on 0800 84 94 101. We have team members who are qualified mediators and collaborative lawyers who can advise you as to the best possible ways to resolve matters.

kjeary@mayowynnebaxter.co.uk www.mayowynnebaxter.co.uk

Karen Jeary

Employment law: what is new for 2024?

By Alex Jones, Managing Director, 365 Employment Law Solicitors.

April was a busy month for employment practitioners! There have been several key employment law changes, which are now in force. Here’s a rundown of what’s new in employment law:

1. Flexible working

On 6 April 2024, the right to request flexible working became a right from day one. As a result of this, all employees now have the right to request flexible working regardless of their length of service (previously you needed 26 weeks’ service).

In addition, regulations introduced at the end of March also brought about the commencement of the following changes from 6 April:

• Employees can make two flexible working requests in 12 months (but only one at a time).

• Employers now have two months in which to respond to a flexible working request.

• Employers must consult with employees before refusing any request.

• Employees no longer need to explain the impact of their request.

The revised statutory Acas Code of Practice on requests for flexible working has also now come into force and should be followed by employers when they are dealing with flexible working requests. Although a failure to follow the Code does not directly give rise to liability in legal proceedings, Employment Tribunals will take the Code into account when considering relevant cases.

For HR teams and individuals, you should ensure your policies and procedures are updated to reflect these changes, as a minimum. It may also be useful to provide additional training or how-to for managers on how to deal with such requests. In particular, managers should be aware that requests can now be made from day one for employees which will impact newly recruited staff as this is a big change to previous practice.

2. Protection from redundancy

In a redundancy situation women on maternity leave and employees on adoption or shared parental leave have had the right to be offered a suitable alternative vacancy (where available) in priority over employees.

As of 6 April, the law has now extended this right to:

• Pregnant employees, from the date they inform their employer of their pregnancy.

• Those returning from long-term family leave (ie maternity leave, adoption leave and statutory parental leave if over six consecutive weeks long).

These periods of protection will last for 18 months after the date of childbirth/ adoption, regardless of how much leave the employee takes. In most cases will include the period of time the employee is back at work following leave.

This is a very significant additional protection since it extends the length of the “priority status” period for eligible employees, potentially giving rise to a greater number of protected individuals in a redundancy situation. While no immediate action is needed, it will need to be carefully considered if you are planning any redundancy exercises from this point onwards, to ensure suitable alternative vacancies are identified and offered to the full category of individuals now protected. A failure to look for suitable alternative vacancies for

protected individuals could risk potential claims for automatically unfair dismissal or possible discrimination.

3. Changes to holiday pay and entitlement

From any holiday years starting from April onwards, employers will have the option for two new ways to calculate holiday pay and entitlement for part-year and irregular hours workers (as defined in the statute):

• A new method of calculating annual leave based on an accrual method, calculated at 12.07 per cent of hours worked in a pay period.

• Rolled up holiday pay (the practice of including an amount for holiday pay on top of a worker’s normal hourly rate, paid at the time they perform the work, rather than when they are on holiday).

The Government has published guidance for employers on calculating holiday entitlement and pay for part-year and irregular hours workers. This guidance was updated on 1 April 2024. The main change is that in the original version, the guidance included the example of someone who worked part of the year with annualised pay. The previous guidance said they would not qualify as a part-year worker because there were no weeks where they did not receive pay.

In the latest version of the guidance, the government has removed this example and instead included suggested it may be possible for someone to qualify as a part-year worker if they are paid ‘during’ periods they are not working, provided that there is no expectation for them to work in that period and they are not paid ‘for’ that period. Although this change does not alter the underlying law in any way, it does provide scope for those engaged for part of the year but paid annualised pay to come within the statutory definition of part-year worker.

4. Carer’s Leave

The Carer’s Leave Regulations 2024 have now come in to force. These give employees the right to apply for up to one week of unpaid carer’s leave in any 12-month period:

• There is no service requirement for taking carer’s leave (it is a ‘day one’ right).

• The leave must be used to care for a dependent with a long-term care need.

• The minimum period of leave that can be taken is half a working day, up to a maximum of one week. It does not need to be taken in consecutive blocks.

• Employees must give notice of their wish to take carer’s leave (either twice as long as the period of leave requested or giving three days’ notice, whichever is longer).

• Employers may postpone carer’s leave if they consider it will unduly disrupt their business, but they must allow the leave to be taken within one month of the initial request.

• Employees do not need to provide evidence in relation to a request for carer’s leave and employers cannot require them to provide it.

• Employees who take carer’s leave will be protected from detriment or dismissal as a result.

Employers should ensure that their relevant policies are updated to reflect this change.

5. Paternity Leave

Greater flexibility has been introduced to statutory paternity leave for employees where the expected week of childbirth is after 6 April 2024, or the expected date of placement for adoption is after this date. In summary:

• Leave can be taken in two separate one-week blocks, and may be taken at any time within the first year after birth or adoption.

• Employees need to give 28 days’ notice of their intention to take leave

(or seven days of being matched in cases of adoption).

• Employees must still give notice of their entitlement to take leave 15 weeks before the expected week of birth.

Again, paternity leave policies should be updated in light of these changes.

What other employment law changes are expected and when?

These are further employment law changes taking place in the next 12 months, with the following changes coming up:

• 1 July 2024 Changes to TUPE relating to when employers can consult directly with employees comes into force.

• Summer 2024 The new Code of Practice on Dismissal and Re-engagement is expected to be brought into force.

• Updated draft code on “fire and rehire” published

• September 2024 A new statutory right for eligible workers to request a more predictable working pattern is expected to come into force.

• Latest Employment Law Reforms Update due

• 26 October 2024 The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 will come into force. This will require employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of employees in the course of their employment.

• April 2025 Changes to neonatal care will come into force (under the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023). Eligible employees whose new-born baby is admitted to neonatal care will be able to take up to 12 weeks additional paid leave.

Employers should always be alert to any changes and take advice at the earliest opportunity.

Tel: 01903 863284

www.365employmentlaw.co.uk

Changing business for good: Mayo Wynne Baxter’s journey

Rebecca Louis, private client partner and responsible business champion at Mayo Wynne Baxter, which is a certified B Corporation, discusses how the Sussex law firm is committed to changing the world of business for good, in both senses of the word.

It is difficult to overstate the importance of purpose in a business. Profit may enable a business, but purpose is what drives it.

While, historically, a business’s purpose may have been to maximise shareholder value, in today’s rapidly-evolving world, more companies are highlighting

the importance of non-shareholding stakeholders, such as their people, local communities and the environment.

As a large regional law firm that has been embedded in the Sussex community for more than 150 years, we are entirely committed to making a positive impact in the areas in which we serve. That is why being a purposeoriented responsible business is at the

heart of our values and forms part of our sustainable, hard-wired growth strategy.

Becoming a B Corporation

This well-ingrained attitude led us to receiving our B Corporation accreditation in January 2023 – a key milestone in our ambition to change the world of business for good; and validation of all the great things we

were already doing as part of our longstanding commitment to responsible business practices.

Organisations with certified B Corporation status are legally required to consider the impact of business decisions on their people, customers, suppliers, communities and the planet.

Since launching in 2007, more than 8,600 companies working in 162 industries worldwide have achieved the certification and, as more leaders recognise that businesses need to play their role in driving societal and environmental change, the number of companies actively seeking B Corporation status is growing.

This rise is reflective of a sea change in society, and a focus on climate change

and social good, with consumers demanding purpose-led businesses and employees wanting to work for companies with clear values.

The benchmarks to achieve accreditation are incredibly high and the auditing process is rigorous, with non-profit B-Lab independently scoring aspiring B-Corps across governance, workers, community, environment and customers to determine the business’ social and environmental performance.

Certification signals a commitment to transparency through publicly publishing results. It shows clients and customers that the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability have been met.

Purposeful and profitable

The conventional wisdom when it comes to business is that there is a choice to be made between making money and doing ‘good’. This is, however, a false dichotomy. It is a misconception to say B Corporations have to stop being as profitable.

Since becoming a B Corporation, we have seen rapid expansion and expanded our footprint across Sussex. While we are awaiting the results of our most recent financial year, in 2022/23, we reported 12% revenue growth – six times the growth we experienced in the four years previous – taking our turnover to more than £12.7m.

For us, helping to address the challenges our society is currently

facing not only makes moral and ethical sense, it also makes commercial sense as our clients, communities, suppliers and regulators increasingly expect this approach. Clients are expressing their approval through public reviews and our five-star Trustpilot score reflects this as they rate us as ‘excellent’.

Driving change

For us, responsible business is not just a box-ticking exercise – it is who we are and how we do business. Our B Corporation values are embedded in our business strategy and fully supported from the top-down. To keep ourselves accountable, our responsible business ambitions are constantly tracked and analysed – pushing us to do better and achieve more.

Our responsible business initiatives are structured around three key pillars –people, communities and the environment – which serve as the foundation of our commitment to positive change, guiding our actions and decisions.

Empowering people

We know that our greatest asset is our fantastic people, and we spare no effort in fostering a supportive, inclusive and empowering workplace culture. From providing ample opportunities for professional development to prioritising diversity and mental health, we ensure every member of our team feels valued and supported.

Outside of salary, bonuses and holidays, our people have access to a number of benefits including Simply Health and Bupa packages, as well as empowered working: the autonomy to work, when and where best suits their lives and clients. This is hugely beneficial to all, but particularly supports those who may have caring responsibilities, or health requirements –such as menopause – to work when they are best able to focus and deliver.

Detailed and clearly-defined routes to progression are provided to our people at all levels. Funded CILEX, SQE and legal apprenticeships are routinely offered,

with full study support policies, as well as training for business development, management training for team leaders and other training for non-legal team members. This enables us to retain loyal and motivated people for long periods and take pride in assisting with a key part in their learning journey. In fact, many of our partners started their legal career with us and progressed upwards.

Our people-led ‘More in Common’ inclusion groups bring all employees together through events and discussion. The groups include topics such as LGBTQ+, disability and mental health, and provide people with a platform to share experiences and educate each other in how to become better allies and advocates.

Our commitment to empowering our employees extends beyond the workplace. We actively encourage our staff to volunteer in their communities, supporting causes they are passionate about.

Whether it is mentoring young people or

fundraising for local charities, we believe in giving back and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. For example, some of our people volunteer as part of the Lewes and District Dementia Alliance Group and a couple take part in the Girls Network, which aims to inspire and empower girls from the least advantaged communities by connecting them with a mentor.

As a result of making our working environments happy, healthy and flexible, we hold a Silver Accreditation from Investors in People.

Supporting communities

As an integral part of the Sussex community, we are dedicated to giving back in meaningful ways. Whether it is through fundraising for local charities or volunteering our time and expertise, we are committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of those around us.

Every two years, we appoint a local charity to be our charity partner and focus our fundraising efforts in supporting them. Currently, this is the Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey and Sussex – an independent life-saving charity, which has provided worldleading pre-hospitality emergency care whenever and wherever it is needed for more than 30 years.

So far, we have raised nearly £8,000 for the charity through a busy programme of events, including a Seaford ParkRun takeover, a Rugby World Cup sweepstake, a silent auction at our Christmas party, and a team quiz night featuring a hamper raffle. Most recently, we raised £1,000 by selling the legal reference books in our Eastbourne hub as we ready ourselves for an office move later this year.

We have plenty of other fundraisers in the diary for the rest of our partnership,

including a summer party raffle, a summer Olympics events and some of our people will even take part in the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge, which involves climbing the three highest mountains of Scotland, England and Wales in 24 hours.

To strengthen both our volunteering and fundraising efforts, we have implemented a responsible business committee, which is committed to driving positive change in the community and providing opportunities for our people to support causes they are passionate about.

Preserving the environment

Environmental sustainability is a core focus of our responsible business initiatives. From reducing our carbon footprint to sourcing sustainable materials, we are taking concrete steps towards a greener future.

Some of the eco-friendly practices we have implemented in our day-to-

day operations, include being paper light for more than seven years; using renewable electricity in our office hubs; and ensuring 100% of our stationary is either sustainably sourced, recycled or recyclable.

All our hub refurbishments not only support agile working and provide space to host events, they also form part of commitment to minimising our environmental impact, with at least 80% recycled, upcycled or sustainablysourced materials.

For example, collaborative spaces and meeting rooms are furnished with upcycled refurbished chairs and sofas; lampshades and cushions are made from recycled fabric; and interest books are donated or sourced pre-owned. There are also pallet-clad walls in kitchen spaces and boardrooms, with the space lit with energy-efficient LED lighting.

To ensure we are doing our part in protecting the planet for future generations, we are constantly

exploring innovative solutions to minimise our environmental impact and promote sustainability.

Knowledge sharing

We believe that businesses have a responsibility to contribute to the greater good, and we are committed to leading by example.

After achieving our B Corporation certification, we joined forces with two other local accredited businesses – including Bird & Blend, which has stores in Brighton, Worthing and Canterbury – to create the Sussex B Corps LinkedIn group.

Now home to more than 160 members, the group promotes the B Corp community in Sussex with the aim of networking and sharing information and success stories.

Let’s Go! Net Zero, a county-wide initiative in West Sussex to help get businesses started on sustainability, has

an innovative programme of free, opendoor events where companies can hear from experts and industry peers as they share their advice and experiences.

In January this year, I was on the panel for its ‘how to take action on net zero if you’re office-based: a sustainability masterclass’, where we discussed everything from sourcing sustainable stationery supplies to adopting low carbon cloud services.

Furthermore, I will also be on the panel of speakers at Bird & Blend’s SustainabiliTEA Business Chat in June, which will focus on people. One of the main aims of this event is to inspire businesses by sharing approaches, practices and challenges of investing in creating a safe, healthy, creative and inclusive workplace and how that impacts employee performance and efficiency.

Looking ahead

As we reflect on our journey so far, we

are proud of the strides we have made towards becoming a more responsible and purpose-driven business. However, we recognise that our work is far from over. Moving forward, we remain steadfast in our commitment to driving positive change, both within our organisation and beyond, and in the coming years, we will continue to build on our success and expand our impact across all three pillars of responsible business.

By prioritising our people, communities and environment, we are not just changing the way we do business; we are helping change the world for good.

As we continue on our journey, we invite others to join us in embracing the power of purpose and driving positive change in the world around us. Together, we can create a more sustainable and equitable future for generations to come.

www.mayowynnebaxter.co.uk

Unearthing your business’s potential: how the GoSucceed Growth Programme is transforming local businesses

you ready to turn business aspirations into achievements?

At GoSucceed, Gary Salters is not just talking about growth, he’s making it happen. Their innovative GoSucceed Growth Programme is already a game-changer for local businesses across Sussex and beyond, providing the tools and support necessary to achieve remarkable success within months.

Fast-track to success

Tailored specifically for business owners seeking to expedite their

growth, GoSucceed harnesses the power of strategic planning, operational efficiency and market expansion. Gary Salters, Founder and Managing Director of GoSucceed, explains the guiding philosophy by saying: “We believe in creating an environment where local businesses can not only flourish but also surpass their growth expectations within six months.”

Participants benefit from a combination of expert insights and bespoke strategies, all crafted to align with their unique business needs and ambitions. This proven approach has repeatedly

delivered swift and significant results, empowering business owners to meet and exceed their targets much sooner than anticipated.

Expert insights and comprehensive support

The Growth Programme includes interactive workshops, personalised mentorship sessions and ongoing support, ensuring that participants don’t just receive advice — they learn how to apply these strategies effectively. “Our approach is hands-on,” says Gary. “We actively work alongside business owners,

helping them to navigate challenges and capitalise on opportunities as they arise.”

A key ethos of GoSucceed is its focus on community and network. “Your network is your net worth and we really believe that which is why we organise and host events regularly,” Gary’s husband and Business Development Director at GoSucceed, Jonny Monroe, told us. “We launched our monthly Group Workshops to create a collaborative space for business owners and entrepreneurs to connect, share and grow.”

Achievements and impact

The impact of the GoSucceed Growth Programme is evident in the enhanced revenue, expanded customer bases and improved operational efficiencies reported by clients. From nascent startups to well-established enterprises, the programme has significantly benefited a wide range of businesses, strengthening the local economy and enhancing the business landscape in the South Coast and beyond.

What clients are saying

“Gary set out to understand me and my business and set a six-month goal, which seemed really far off at the time. But incredibly, I’ve recently hit that target now, and I’m exactly where I wanted to be.”

Bobby Lambkin-Williams Atomic Canyon Accounting & Bookkeeping

“We had a monthly sales target of 7 businesses to join our brand new business club, Connected 100. In the first two months, we got over 30. And now in month three, we’re actually over 40!”

Lyndsey Clay Connected Brighton

“His understanding of people, positivity, process, methodology, pitch, and technology uniquely positions him to deliver insights and practical programmes that help people transform their sales activities.”

Tony Nerney Irish Steel & 4Growth

Join the next GoSucceed Goldmine Event

Are you looking to elevate your business to new heights? Don’t miss the next quarterly Goldmine Event on June 27th, where you can connect with industry leaders, gain invaluable insights and join a thriving community committed to business excellence. This isn’t just an opportunity to networkit’s a stepping stone to transformative success for your business.

Seize this chance to see how the GoSucceed Growth Programme can redefine what’s possible for your business. Sign up to join the waitlist today at www.GoSucceed.co.uk and embark on a journey towards unparalleled growth and achievement.

Sussex businesses encouraged to get ahead with the all-new Maxus eDeliver 5

Available exclusively at Rivervale, which explains what your business or organisation stands to benefit.

Motoring News

Maxus unveiled two new electric vehicles, part of their impressive fleet of 7 EVs, at this year’s Electrifying 2024 CV Show in Birmingham. One of them is the eDeliver 5, the vehicle that’s being highlighted as the model of particular interest to businesses and organisations.

With Maxus actively driving the commercial accessibility of ecotransportation, these vehicles were well-received and have gained much media attention. Businesses throughout Sussex and Surrey are being encouraged to take steps toward greener transportation by contacting Rivervale, the home of Maxus for this area.

Ben Freakley, Group Marketing Manager at Rivervale, comments on the innovation of this stylish LCV: “I’m incredibly excited about the allnew Maxus eDeliver 5. This electric van has a modern design that’s sure to turn heads and is extremely well-appointed inside, packed with technology to boost efficiency, driver convenience and safety.

“Don’t let the good looks fool you - this van is a workhorse. With a generous payload capacity and a range that conquers everyday routes, it’s perfect for businesses of all sizes. And the price tag? Unbeatable. The eDeliver 5 is a game-changer, offering exceptional value without sacrificing capability. I

can’t wait to see it on the road.”

The Maxus eDeliver 5 boasts:

• A 208-mile range (WLTP combined) or 300 miles urban/city range

• A substantial 120kW peak power capacity for quicker charges

• Two body type versions; L1 H1 and L1 H2 - Cargo volume of 6.6m3 / 7.6m3 respectively

• A generous payload of 1200kg

• Adaptive cruise control, 360 surrounding cameras, lane keep assistance, a speed limit ID system, a 12.3 inch interior screen with MP5, USB, Bluetooth, Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, Internet of Vehicle (IOV) capabilities including navigation/voice control

• Sliding doors on each side of the vehicle and barn doors at the rear for ease of accessibility and fewer parking issues

The vehicle is available to order today, with prices starting from £34,000 (excl. VAT & Reg Fee), with delivery as soon as August 2024. Customers can buy it outright or opt for a lease option. Get in touch for a tailored quote.

To explore more, visit rivervale.co.uk or speak to the dedicated Maxus team at Rivervale on 01273 433953.

If you’re interested in other models, including the new Maxus MIFA 7 (MPV) that was also launched at this year’s CV Show, the expansive Rivervale showroom in Brighton boasts the entire Maxus lineup. Speak to our team to ensure you find the perfect vehicle.

Rivervale keeps the Brighton Marathon weekend moving

It was the event’s Official Vehicle Partner.

Rivervale, one of the UK’s leading vehicle providers, was proud to announce its appointment as Official Vehicle Partner for the Brighton Marathon Weekend in last month’s issue of the Sussex Business Times. Now, it reveals the partnership was a great success.

Rivervale provided a fleet of 25 vehicles, ensuring the smooth running of the marathon, 10k and mile races.

Sustainable fleet support

The highlight of Rivervale’s involvement was its commitment to sustainability. A significant 72% of the vehicles utilised throughout the weekend were fully electric, contributing to zero tailpipe emissions and cleaner air for Brighton and Hove. The fleet comprised Luton vans for setup and support, vans for water stations and course sectors, wheelchair-accessible minibuses, and cars to lead, pace and provide overall support for the running events.

Partnerships and fundraising

Rivervale would like to express its gratitude to its valued partners, Ford

UK, Nissan Motor Corporation, Tesla, and Thrifty Car and Van Rental, for their support in providing additional vehicles for the event. Additionally, a big thank you goes to Acosta Europe for their kind donation of sweets and lollipops, keeping the spirits high for both the participating children and the exhausted runners.

Beyond logistical support, Rivervale actively participated in fundraising and local activation activities. At Preston Park, during the Brighton Miles event, two Tesla Model Y cars were displayed, attracting significant attention. A tombola held alongside the display raised a fantastic £132 for Chestnut Tree House, a local children’s hospice. On Sunday, the Pride Tesla Model Y and the Nissan Ariya Timing Car were available for attendees to capture memorable photo opportunities, in addition to finding out more about Rivervale and taking advantage of the car for a weekend offer.

A winning partnership

“We are delighted to have been the Official Vehicle Partner for the Brighton Marathon Weekend,” said Ben Freakley, Group Marketing Manager of Rivervale. “We were particularly pleased to support Chestnut Tree House, not only

through fundraising but also with a team raising over £500 by participating in the weekend’s events. The Brighton Marathon is a fantastic event that fosters community spirit, and our involvement allows us to showcase our commitment to sustainable motoring solutions while raising awareness of Rivervale’s services within the local community.”

Joe Carter, Event Lead for the Brighton Marathon Weekend, said: “The 2024 Brighton Marathon Weekend was an incredible success and a celebration of the amazing Brighton and Hove Community. We were delighted to work this year with local vehicle leasing company Rivervale, who provided us with our fleet of vehicles across the route and event, including our race convoy, and helped us prioritise using electric vehicles.”

Rivervale’s participation in the Brighton Marathon Weekend exemplifies its dedication to both environmental responsibility and community engagement. The company’s leadership in sustainable vehicle solutions positions it as a frontrunner in making motoring manageable for a greener future.

Trust Rivervale to care for your current or next car, van or minibus. Find out more at rivervale.co.uk

“Another great event and made even better by a team yellow win. But all jokes aside, I am truly honoured to put on this event with sam each year, brining together the business community to raise much needed funds for a fantastic charity close to both our hearts. I’m already looking forward to doing it all again next year!”

~

Business duo hits a hole-in-one for Rockinghorse again!

The camaraderie of the business community took centre stage on April 25th and 26th, as 28 players teed off in an epic two-day event to support the remarkable Rockinghorse Children’s Charity. Charity

Team Blue, led by captain Sam Thomas, faced off against Team Yellow, led by Gavin Willis, both esteemed trustees of the charity. With one victory each in previous years (Willis in 2022 and Thomas in 2023), the stakes were high for the epic decider.

The Rockinghorse Children’s Charity Ryder Cup 2024 featured:

• Two days of intense golfing action

• Two teams battling it out

• 28 players displaying their skills

• Generous contributions towards the cause

• Memorable stories shared

• Plenty of laughter and fun

After two days of spirited competition,

Team Yellow emerged victorious, much to the disappointment of Thomas and his Team Blue compatriots. Despite the outcome, the event was marked by camaraderie and good spirits throughout.

Sam Thomas expressed determination for a comeback, vowing: “Team Blue legends will return stronger next year after a summer training camp in La Manga.”

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Kevin Clifford and Animo Group for their headline sponsorship, along with Rubix VT for their co-sponsorship. Special recognition is also extended to Jackie Irving-Wilkinson from Ashwood and Amanda Hetherington from Rockinghorse for their invaluable support over the two days.

The event would not have been possible without the participation of

the dedicated blue and yellow teams.

Ultimately, the true winners of the event were the children supported by the incredible Rockinghorse Children’s Charity. Thanks to the generosity and support of all involved, nearly £2,000 was raised to aid their vital work.

As the sun sets on another memorable Ryder Cup, the anticipation for next year’s event is already building. Until then, the spirit of camaraderie and philanthropy lives on, echoing the unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of children in need.

Gavin Willis, Search Seven

Sam Thomas (Captain)

Bud Johnston MCIM

Jamie Salvidge

Richard Higgins

Jamie Davies

John Sowton FCCA

Aiden Dunning

Ross Czolak

Stuart Moffat

Chris Hoadley

Joe Bignell

Scott Bartholemew

Stelios Georgiou

Nick Hoadley

Gavin Willis (Captain)

Will Stogdale

Paige Collins

Damien Burke

Mike Abbott

James Rose

Nigel Gunn

Ben Ball

Joe Froud

Stephen Readman

Mark Alford

Charlie Spratt

Alex Hilditch

Jason Wickham

Team Blue:

Team Yellow:

Have you trained your team on AI yet?

By Gareth Kemp, Co-Founder, Simpler With AI.

“I had no idea AI could do anything like that. I was waiting to see before exploring AI more. I thought it wasn’t useful yet!”

That was the CEO of a legal firm. He, like most people, had experimented with ChatGPT but couldn’t see how it would make a difference.

Until now.

About 20 minutes earlier, I’d asked him about his current business challenges.

“We’re struggling to recruit the right people,” he said. “And we want to grow, so sales and marketing matter.”

“We’ll cover all of that,” I said. “My background is business development so

that’s where we first started using AI. But we quickly realised it’s just as powerful in HR, finance, operations, admin… every functional department of your business.”

“May I demonstrate how AI is helping our clients address these issues?” I asked.

For the next 20 minutes I shared what AI could do for him.

We opened the AI-powered Hiring Expert. Within a couple of minutes, the “Hiring Expert” had asked clarifying questions about his recruitment problem.

It not only identified the core of his issue but also made simple and immediately actionable recommendations.

“I’ve spent thousands with a consultant who took weeks to do what you just did in seconds! The advice is the same” (You

can see how the AI-powered Hiring Expert works at simplerwith.ai/hiring-expert)

“That’s something we hear a lot,” I said. “It’s because we created the Three Principles of AI Performance to ensure we always have the human at the centre of the work, and that the quality is at least as good as or better than a human.”

Next, we created a sales campaign based on an idea the CEO had.

“We’ve created sales campaigns that attracted senior leadership teams of businesses including Spotify, Etsy, Tinder, Laurent Perrier, and many others for our clients,” I told him.

“Before AI, that took skilled work and was expensive. Now we’ve trained AI on how to replicate those results. Work that used to take weeks is done in about

two minutes.” (You can see the reality at simplerwith.ai/sales and how to change the tone and style too.)

“AI is about unlocking productivity and making the work faster and easier. That’s why our clients generate such massive productivity gains. Their people are not tired from doing the work. They guide the AI. Then they do what makes them uniquely human. They reflect upon it. They discuss it with others. They collaborate.

“Strategic planning used to take days of hard work. There’s a reason businesses used to only do it once a year. With AI, we have a 45 minute conversation to give it the detail and then run the PESTLE, SWOT or any analysis you need in minutes.” (simplerwith.ai/strategy)

“Instead of doing the hard work, you have the space and time to think.

“The way to unlock your team’s ability so they can perform at a higher level is through AI training,” I said.

“It quickly opens their eyes to the

possibilities. There’s an immediate impact on their work and productivity.

“We have tools we’ve already created. But our clients find the greatest impact comes from knowing how to use ChatGPT at a more sophisticated level, as well as how to create the tools.”

“That sounds technical and time consuming, doesn’t it?” he challenged me.

“I hear you. The reality is there’s nothing technical. All you need is the ability to speak English. We have a 100% success rate in training people to create a tool that improves the speed of one of their regularly performed tasks by at least 100x.”

I told him a story one of our clients had told us.

He had a virtual assistant who was a stay at home mum. In the training, she realised it was faster to create the tool that does the work for her, than it was to do the work itself.

Instead of spending three days a month creating action plans, she created a tool to do the work in minutes, meaning she was able to work on more interesting challenges. Everybody wins.

Other clients regularly build tools with over 5,000x speed improvements. Work that took hours is condensed into minutes. Whether it’s analysing financial statements, working out how to approach a difficult conversation, analysing transcripts of sales calls to identify areas of improvement, AI can help you.

Our AI training is interactive and makes an immediate impact, plus we can certify your people. They’ll love you are future proofing their careers.

Because nobody wants to be left behind.

If you’d like to discover what AI can do for you go to simplerwith.ai/start and schedule a short call. We’ll take time to understand your business and show you how AI can make an immediate impact.

Women’s health in the workplace - are we hitting the mark?

By Loch Associates Group.

Networking & Events

It’s no secret that women experience some rather complex life transitional stages, including menstrual health, fertility issues and perimenopause and menopause, each presenting physical, emotional and psychological challenges.

Understanding the legal framework around these issues is an important starting point to ensure businesses are not only compliant with their legal obligations but protected against potential claims. This is particularly important given the fact that there has been a 75% increase in Employment Tribunal claims citing menopause-related issues.

One in five women who are experiencing fertility issues are also considering leaving work due to the impact on them and their ability to fit treatments around work life. These statistics reinforce the need for businesses to create workplaces that go over and above the legal minimum, in order to retain the best talent. These progressive businesses will recognise the benefits that can be obtained from placing these issues at the heart of their business to engage, empower and enable the female workforce to not just cope with their situation but try to thrive through it.

By providing your female staff with proactive support and a healthy and safe working environment you’re not only likely to be legally compliant, you’re also likely to experience benefits where talent attraction and staff retention are

concerned. Staff who feel safe and secure at work are much less likely to look elsewhere and you can build a reputation as an organisation that empowers and advances its workforce, which is only likely to bolster your employee value proposition.

We need to remember that women’s wellbeing is not just about the impact on the person you employ but also on the people around them. Doing business this way is sure to bring about a whole business benefit.

Small interventions can have a significant impact. They demonstrate how seriously an employer takes the health and wellbeing challenges employees face and opens up the dialogue to help reduce and remove any remnants of taboo and stigma. The result? Happier staff, empowered to perform to the best of their potential and take your organisation to the next level.

Train your team

Loch Associates Group has collaborated with Dr Olivia Hum from Myla Health to create a workplace training package

designed to address all the clinical, legal and HR considerations around women’s health in the workplace.

This training package gives business owners and leadership teams insights into the clinical factors surrounding these challenges, to understand the legal landscape and finally consider practical HR solutions that can be put into place to be a legally compliant, progressive and responsible employer.

To find out more about this training and the costs of the package, please contact Amy.White@ lochassociates.co.uk .

BY

SESSION 2: BUILDING TO BETTER Tuesday 28th May, 9-10am.

You’ve got your team in place and business is booming – now you need to respond to the myriad of challenges that arise with people management. During this session you will find out:

• How to manage employee misconduct and poor performance (Informal Interventions, Investigations & Formal Procedures)

• What to do if an employee goes off sick (Managing Short & Long Term Absences, OHT Assessments & Supporting Staff Wellbeing)

• How to manage and consider family commitments (Family Leave, Rights & Responsibilities & Flexible Working)

At the end of this session you will be equipped with the key legal and HR considerations to successfully manage your employees for a striving business.

Chestnut Tree House to benefit from next BBBC gathering

The Big Business Breakfast Club will be back for its fifth meeting of the year on May 17. It will be held at the Malmaison and this month’s sponsor is the Brighton & Hove Business Show.

Networking & Events

Join us on Friday, May 17 at Mamaison on Brighton Marina, from 8am.

The special guest is Mo Kanjilal, in a head-to-head with Sam Thomas. This will be followed by Alex Ryan, of Marketing 101, who will be there to offer marketing hints and tips. This event always gives attendees plenty of time to meet other like-minded business people in the room.

Brighton & Hove Business show

The Brighton & Hove Business Show is the ultimate networking event for all ambitious businesses who are looking to grow and prosper. Come along and network with 400+ like minded people looking to find new customers, suppliers and connections. Register for free online as soon as possible.

Show organiser Mike Monk has chosen Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice as this month’s nominated charity.

The charity’s goal is to provide the best quality of life for children, young people and their families, and to offer practical, social and spiritual support throughout each child’s life.

Guest speaker

Mo Kanjilal, Co-Creator at Watch This Sp_ce, is the guest speaker.

She represents an award-winning diversity & inclusion company.

Watch This Sp_ce can help you Work Better Together by creating inclusive teams where people understand the value of working together with different people for innovation,

creativity, happiness, productivity, and growth. They provide a unique Inclusion Journey Mapping to help you understand where to start and what to work on to make changes that stick, with training, coaching and content. They help you create an inclusive organisation, where different types of people work better together.

We look forward to seeing you next Friday. Tickets will sell out, so book in advance.

Book here: https://www. bigbusinessbreakfastclub.co.uk/

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a sponsor of the BBBC then, please get in touch with the team at team@ bigbusinessbreakfastclub.co.uk

‘Find your Fringe’ theme heralds return of arts festival

Spring solstice has been and gone, the clocks have gone forward, and the evenings are getting lighter. Marquees, caravans, and other weird and wonderful structures have popped up here and there around the city. It can only mean one thing… Brighton Fringe is back!

Networking & Events

The Sussex Business Times team headed to the Brighton Fringe Launch event at Ironworks Studios, hosted by Silicon Brighton, to hear all about their newly established partnership from Silicon Brighton’s CoFounder, Grace Prior.

Fringe is an open access arts festival that happens in May every year, bringing over 700 acts to hundreds of different venues across Brighton, Hove and Sussex, generating millions of pounds for the local economy. It puts the city

and the region on the map and brings investment with it, but it also gives people the chance to experiment with and showcase their creative specialisms. And it provides a platform for grassroots artists to develop their work.

This year’s theme ‘Find your Fringe’ truly taps into the ethos that anyone at any level, regardless of ability and background is not only welcome but embraced onto the programme.

Grace said: “We saw lots of similarities between the mission and the values of Brighton Fringe and Silicon Brighton,

and that’s why we launched a partnership at the end of last year.

“We are also a not for profit and our focus is on supporting the local tech and digital meetup scene. All the meetups are free to attend, they’re hybrid and available to people at all levels. We want the events, and the industry to be accessible to anyone, removing any barriers to entrywhether you’re just starting out, thinking about your next career move or looking for peer support at a more senior level.

“It’s not home and it’s not the office. It’s a place you can go to meet like-minded

individuals to connect and learn new things. This in turn spotlights the city as a place to thrive in life as well as work.”

Grace explained that, in terms of Brighton’s USP, the city’s size could be its advantage. Brighton & Hove is small enough that tech, digital and creative verticals don’t need to operate in separate silos, and that there is an opportunity to seek out the synergies that bring these worlds together.

The partnership between Silicon Brighton and Brighton Fringe is about exploring that intersection where tech and digital meet creative – and Grace is hoping to leverage this partnership to position Brighton not only as a tech hub but as a leading cultural hub in the UK.

“Throughout May specifically, we’ve curated a programme of meetups that will form part of the Fringe programme,” Grace added. “So, we have everything from talks from techies with a creative background or using tech in a creative

way, to fully fledged tech talks with a Fringe act alongside. This is the first time we’ve done anything like this, so we’re pretty intrigued to see how it pans out!”

We also heard from Artist & Venue Services Manager, Rhiannon Lingwood, at Brighton Fringe who elaborated: “We’re looking to build on this collaboration throughout the year and would love to speak to anyone who’s willing to lend their time to support creatives in the city who may be interested in developing their technical skills to improve their show development, their performance or even their marketing strategy.”

Grace thanked the Silicon Brighton meetup organisers, speakers and volunteers, explaining that all of the amazing, impactful stuff that happens as a result of getting people together in person at the Silicon Brighton supported meetups is down to them. She also said: “If you’re interested in contributing to the wider Silicon Brighton mission, we’re always looking for people to dedicate their time, skills and resources

- whether it’s to become a speaker or an organiser, or maybe you have a space that could accommodate one of our meetup groups.”

In the spirit of truly embracing the partnership between Silicon Brighton and Brighton Fringe, Grace handed over to the evening’s keynote, Technology Executive Winn Faria, to deliver an A-Z whistlestop tour on emerging technologies, innovation and investment & funding. We then listened to the amazing Paul Diello for a sneak peak at his Fringe performance; The Great 80s & 90s One Hit Wonder Songbook.

Missed it? Don’t worry, the talk will be available on the Silicon Brighton YouTube channel very shortly.

To check out the full schedule of free tech and digital meetups across the city, visit siliconbrighton.com/events and to see everything that’s happening across Brighton Fringe this year go to brightonfringe.org/events

Sussex Cricket Foundation and Webtrends Optimize present DIScoverABILITY Weekend 2024

The Sussex Cricket Foundation is delighted to announce that DIScoverABILITY Day will return to the The 1st Central County Ground on Friday, May 10 and will precede back-to-back disability cricket fixtures on the hallowed turf at Hove.

Networking & Events

Last year, another record-breaking DIScoverABILITY

Day saw over 650 participants from 32 organisations, as well as 145 volunteers take to the field at The 1st Central County Ground for an action-packed day of batting, throwing, catching and bowling challenges, designed for all abilities and led by Sussex Cricket Foundation coaches.

For the first time ever, the spectacular disability sport event, one of the largest in the southeast, will be followed by two amazing fixtures of disability cricket.

The first match will take place on Saturday, May 11 and will see the Sussex Sharks VI (Visually Impaired) team take on Northamptonshire in a

rescheduled cup final from 2023.

That will then be followed by a D40 Quest League fixture between Sussex D40 and Lancashire on Sunday, May 12.

The flagship weekend will take place during the Foundation’s Disability Cricket Month, which will showcase the players, teams, volunteers, and programmes which help to make up disability cricket in Sussex.

Tom Belcher, Disability Cricket Manager for the Sussex Cricket Foundation is looking forward to an amazing weekend. He said: “I am absolutely delighted to not only be able to announce DIScoverABILITY Day, but to be able to announce DIScoverABILITY Weekend, three days of fabulous fun and some high-class disability cricket.

“To have both the Sussex Sharks VI and Sussex D40 sides play at a first-class ground once again, as well as our most important event in our calendar, DIScoverABILITY Day, all on the same weekend will be incredible for disability cricket in Sussex.

“We look forward to welcoming as many people as possible to what will be three special days at The 1st Central County Ground.”

Anyone who would like to attend DIScoverABILITY Day or volunteer at the event is encouraged to contact the team at disabilitycricket@sussexcricket.co.uk

Visit the Sussex Cricket website to grab free tickets to both Disability Cricket Fixtures.

Get your ticket to Brighton & Hove Business Show

Pre-registration has many benefits - and it’s free!

Networking & Events

Time is running out to pre-register for free entry to this year’s Brighton & Hove Business Show.

While you can still attend the event for free without registering in advance, pre-registration has time-saving and other benefits.

Thanks to sponsorship by PBS Group, those who have booked tickets in advance will this year be afforded superquick entry - via a QR code system. No queuing, no faff.

Power up your network! This free business show is a goldmine for connections. Meet industry titans, chat with cutting-edge start-ups and spark collaborations that could skyrocket your success.

Want a sneak peek at tomorrow’s tech? Brighton & Hove Business Show is where you can witness live demos of revolutionary products and services. So, don’t get left behind – stay ahead of the curve.

Learn new skills at workshops, gain fresh perspectives and boost your business IQ in a fun, dynamic environment. You might just meet the perfect partner to propel your business forward.

Mike Monk, organiser of the June 13 event, said: “Pre-registering is important, if you want to make the most of your day at Brighton & Hove Business Show. It’s simple, allows quick access to the venue and gives everyone who takes advantage of it

more time to network on the day.

“With no on-the-day form-filling and no queuing, it’s the hassle-free way to attend the business show everyone is talking about.”

Taking place at the Amex Stadium from 10am to 3pm, there is free parking and a cafe/bar in both exhibition lounges.

Pre-registration takes just a few minutes online.

Mike added: “I would urge anyone intending to come along on the day to pre-register. It helps to minimise delays at reception and just makes for a much more pleasant start to the day for attendees. For a few minutes of your time online, you could save yourself a lot of hassle on the day.

“There will be a cut-off point for preregistrations ahead of the event, so I would advise people to get online as soon as they can.”

For pre-registrations, visit https:// brightonandhovebusinessshow.uk/ visitor-registration

With a full seminar timetable, offering expert insights into today’s most relevant topics, and an exclusive marketing platform for B2B brands, stands for this year’s event have almost sold out. If you are interested in exhibiting, contact Mike as soon as possible - email mike@ brightonandhovebusinessshow.uk

The second annual Networking Breakfast will be staged ahead of the show’s opening. Tickets include breakfast and are available to book online herehttps://ticketpass.org/event/EGTDGL/ brighton-and-hove-business-showbreakfast-2024

Here’s to a great day of networking on June 13!

How the Living Wage impacts Brighton businesses

Hannah Jackson, Marketing and Engagement Manager at Brighton Chamber, shares some of the key findings from a recent survey of local Brighton & Hove Living Wage employers to find out why they signed up to the campaign, and what they think the impact is on businesses in Brighton.

Brighton Chamber has run the local Brighton & Hove Living Wage Campaign since 2012 – and, as far as we know, it’s the only business-led Living Wage Campaign in the UK. From our first employer, Brighton & Hove Buses, to today, the campaign now has over 900 businesses signed up and has raised the salaries of nearly 5,000 people across our city.

Chamber News

We recently asked our Living Wage employers to share why they signed up to the campaign and how they think it’s impacted their business and the wider economy of Brighton & Hove. Here’s what they had to say…

But first, what is the Living Wage?

Different from the national minimum wage, which is set annually by the government, the Living Wage is

independently calculated, based on the amount a person needs to live to a reasonable standard.

The current Living Wage is £12 per hour – or £23,400 per annum (based on a 37.5 hour week). People often think that the Living Wage just applies to staff who are paid hourly, but it’s for salaried staff too!

Who’s part of the campaign?

We think that the businesses signed up to the Living Wage Campaign are part of a values and people-led community that is making Brighton a great place to work and do business.

From hospitality and retail, construction and property, PR and marketing, to education and healthcare – a whole range of diverse businesses and sectors are represented across the campaign.

Is it important for our city?

80% of businesses surveyed this year strongly agree that the Living Wage Campaign is important for Brighton as a city, and more than two-thirds of businesses would consider whether a business was a Living Wage employer before taking them on as a supplier or collaborator.

Brighton prides itself as a progressive and entrepreneurial city, and the impact of businesses paying the Living Wage goes back into the city’s wider economy.

Is it important for business?

73% of all businesses signed up see paying the Living Wage as important for their employer brand – with 80% agreeing that being part of the campaign helps with recruitment and attracting talent.

We also found that more than half of the businesses signed up to the campaign thought that it helped make their teams more diverse and inclusive, helping to make jobs more accessible.

What are some of the challenges facing businesses right now?

Paying the Living Wage is a challenge for some businesses – particularly those with smaller profits and high

wage costs. But employers are aware that getting the Living Wage as a minimum is essential for their staff because of the cost of property, rents and living in Brighton.

If your business isn’t sure whether they’re able to pay the Living Wage, we’d always recommend chatting to others in your sector to find out how they’re doing it (we can put you in touch).

So, could you help us reach our next milestone of 1,000 businesses in Brighton and beyond paying their teams the Living Wage?

The more businesses that sign up to the campaign, the wider our reach and bigger the campaign. It’s free to sign up and join more than 900 businesses working to make our city a great place to live and do business. Head to: livingwagebrighton.co.uk

With special thanks to Bonamy Waddell from Bon Insight for survey analysis, and to Franki Martelli from FDM Design for infographics.

The Brighton & Hove Living Wage Campaign is run by Brighton Chamber, an inclusive and welcoming membership organisation supporting businesses of all sizes to meet, learn and grow. Find out more about Brighton Chamber at brightonchamber.co.uk

The Brighton & Hove Living Wage Campaign is supported by UNISON and Brighton & Hove City Council.

Men struggle to have babies too: the silent suffering partners on the infertility journey

In this two-part series, Carole Gilling-Smith, CEO and Medical Director of the Agora Clinic, explores some of the issues facing men trying to conceive

Lifestyle

Society’s collective gaze tends to see fertility issues as female related when a couple struggles to conceive. However, the emotional and physical challenges of infertility affect men just as profoundly. In approximately one-third of infertility cases, the problem lies with the male partner, and in another third, we find it’s a combined issue or unexplained, making it clear that men are not merely bystanders in this journey; they are equal participants wrestling with the pain of unfulfilled parenthood.

What is male infertility?

To understand male infertility, we need to first unpick some of the basic biology

behind sperm production and function. Sperm is produced from puberty onwards in the testicles and this process takes about 72 days. The sperm then mature in the epididymis (the cap above the testicle) before they are ejaculated during intercourse. For conception to occur, sperm must be able to fertilise an egg, which requires them to be produced in adequate quantity (which is measured as the sperm count), to be moving forward efficiently (measured as progressive motility) and to have a normal shape (measured as morphology.

The basic sperm test

The initial step in assessing male fertility is a semen analysis which measures the quantity and quality of a man’s sperm.

The semen sample is typically collected through masturbation after three days of abstinence. At the Agora Clinic, we have private rooms for sperm collection but if you don’t live more than an hour away, you can bring a sample in from home. The sperm is then analysed in our andrology laboratory under the microscope for various parameters including sperm count, motility, and morphology.

Whilst a female produces on average a single egg each month, a typical ejaculate has millions of sperm. Counts can vary quite significantly from sample to sample, but sperm counts of less than 15 million per millilitre of semen per ejaculate are considered low. Normal motility requires at least 32% of sperm to be moving in a forward direction.

When it comes to morphology it is surprising how much ‘rubbish’ sperm is found in a typical sample. Men can get away with up to 95% of their sperm being abnormally shaped! These are in fact functionless sperm and cannot penetrate the egg so they can’t make an abnormal baby. As a guide even sperm donors have 90-95% abnormal morphology rates but levels higher than 95% are considered abnormal. Poor motility or abnormal morphology can also impede a couple’s ability to conceive naturally or even with in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

Causes of male infertility

If you have a semen analysis or couple’s fertility MOT at the Agora, we always arrange a consultation with one of our expert fertility Consultants as a sperm test result alone is meaningless. The findings must be discussed in the context of your medical, personal and family history and often a repeat test or further blood tests or scans will be suggested, so that a proper diagnosis can be made.

Male infertility can be due to a variety of causes, ranging from genetic factors and lifestyle choices to medical conditions. Hormonal imbalances, infections, and ejaculation issues can all hinder male fertility as can a varicocele, a benign swelling of the veins that drain the testicle. Environmental factors are important too, such as exposure to certain chemicals or heat, as can lifestyle factors, including smoking, heavy alcohol use, obesity, and stress. Genetic issues such as Klinefelter’s syndrome or cystic fibrosis can also lead to a failure in sperm production or blockages that prevent sperm being ejaculated.

Treatment options

Treatments for male infertility depend on the underlying cause. For example,

surgery can be an effective solution if a varicocele or blockage is discovered. Hormone treatments and medications may be effective in a few cases when sperm production is not happening correctly. In vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are often best approaches when the sperm is low in count and quality. Lifestyle changes can also make a big difference as it takes 72 days to make sperm. There is now very good evidence that if you improve your diet, reduce stress, start an exercise regime, quit smoking, and abstain from regular and heavy alcohol intake you can significantly improve your sperm health over a period of three to six months. Additionally, our fertility specialists may recommend specific supplements that could potentially improve sperm count and quality, such as antioxidants, zinc, and folic acid.

The enhanced male fertility assessment and DNA Fragmentation

In recent years, more sophisticated tests have emerged which offer a deeper understanding of male fertility. One such test is the DNA fragmentation index (DFI), which measures the amount of damaged DNA in sperm cells. High levels of DNA fragmentation have been associated with reduced male fertility, increased risk of miscarriage and reduced chances of success with IVF. DNA damage in sperm cells can be caused by oxidative stress due to environmental factors, lifestyle choices, infection, underlying, often undiagnosed, medical illness or advanced age. At the Agora we offer an enhanced male fertility test which includes a DNA fragmentation test, oxidative stress test and infection screen followed by a medical consultation. This is particularly useful for couples who have experienced repeated IVF failures or who have unexplained infertility or recurrent

miscarriage and it allows us to work with you on improving sperm health.

The emotional toll and seeking support

Despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment, the emotional toll of infertility on men is often overlooked. Men can feel isolated, emasculated, and helpless when faced with infertility. The societal expectation for men to remain stoic can compound these feelings, leading to silent suffering. It is crucial for men to seek support during this time. At the Agora, we offer counselling, either individually or as a couple, which we believe can provide a safe space to express and process these complex emotions. We also have a patient support group or can signpost you to support groups specifically for men to help you achieve a sense of community and understanding from others going through the same journey.

At the Agora, we are passionate about inclusive care for all on the fertility journey, which is why we encourage a culture of openness, so that our men feel acknowledged, listened to and involved and are treated as equal partners on this sometimes very challenging journey. For me, this article is as much about opening the conversation in the workplace as well as socially on the silent suffering of men struggling to have babies as it is to educate. If you are suffering alone, don’t be afraid to speak up and if you are not, be a friend and a colleague and just listen.

If you want to find out more about our male fertility tests or how to get support, please visit our website agoraclinic. co.uk or call 01273 229410. We offer male fertility assessments at our clinics in Brighton and Eastbourne.

Fresh Spring looks from Velvet

Is your wardrobe in need of an upgrade for brighter days?

We sell a selection of carefully curated fashion, accessories and lifestyle over 2 floors, with new styles arriving everyday.

We pride ourselves in offering a warm, friendly relaxed environment, with the very best of customer service.

We are ready to help with all you Spring/Summer fashion needs with on-the-spot styling advice in store, the Velvet team are always on

hand to help you with colour options, sizes and advice.

Or you could book a free personal shopping experience for advice, inspiration, a specific occasion or a wardrobe re-fresh. It will be a relaxed, fun experience with no pressure to buy and no minimum spend, available by appointment www.velvetstore.co.uk

We look forward to seeing you in store soon.

The best kept secret in Sussex

Tottington Manor: where meetings meet majesty with breathtaking views of the South Downs. By Jackie Ashwood.

Hidden amidst the beautiful landscape of West Sussex, Tottington Manor offers not just meeting rooms but an experience that combines business with nature. Recently, I had the pleasure of experiencing an overnight stay, dinner and hosting a meeting with the most amazing views

The meeting rooms at Tottington Manor are not just spaces for discussions; they are sanctuaries where creativity flourishes and ideas come to life. They have meeting spaces and catering to suit every need.

The Nook & Terra Restaurant

The Nook is the manor’s smallest private dining space, accommodating six to eight guests. It’s ideal for brunch, lunch, evening meetings or entertaining clients. Situated off the main Terra Restaurant, it can be booked for the day or just for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

The Terra Restaurant, with its locally sourced, 90% Suissex ingredients, freshly prepared menu, is an excellent venue to bring clients or reward staff.

The Manor Room

Seating up to 15 for a meeting or 18 for private dining, the Manor Room includes a large screen TV and flipcharts for presentations as well as a Nespresso coffee machine to keep you going through the day.

For hybrid meetings, make use of the ‘Meeting Owl’, which allows remote guests

to join the whole meeting room.

The Manor also makes an ideal breakout room alongside the adjoining Olive Lounge.

The Downs Suite

Seating up to 150 for a conference or 100 for dining, the Downs Suite can be further segmented to provide a registration/networking area as well as conference/dining space.

With five sets of French doors opening onto the manor’s Stretch Tent and Downs Gardens, it provides additional break out space and amazing views.

Whether you’re brainstorming innovative strategies, conducting important negotiations or hosting executive meetings, the breathtaking views provide a welcome respite from the rigours of business, allowing participants to connect with the local environment.

Tottington Manor’s meeting rooms are equipped with all the modern amenities and technology needed to ensure seamless communication and collaboration. From high-speed internet access to state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, every detail is carefully curated to meet the needs of today’s business professionals.

The attentive staff at Tottington Manor go above and beyond to ensure you have everything needed at times of day further elevate the meeting experience, ensuring that every aspect of your event is flawlessly executed.

Beyond the boardroom, Tottington Manor offers a wealth of opportunities for relaxation and rejuvenation. After a productive meeting, attendees can explore the scenic trails of the South Downs, unwind in the comfort of their luxurious accommodations, or enjoy a meal in their superb restaurant where you can guarantee everything is locally sourced. The meat is sourced from the south downs, the fish is landed in Newhaven, vegetables are seasonal and sourced locally where possible, the dairy produce all from neighbouring farms. All can be enjoyed with a choice of wines from Sussex vineyards.

In conclusion, Tottington Manor’s meeting rooms, with stunning views of the South Downs, offer more than just a space for business gatherings; they provide an immersive experience that combines productivity with the splendour of nature. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, fostering collaboration, or simply appreciating the beauty of your surroundings, Tottington Manor sets the stage for unforgettable meetings that leave a lasting impression.

County Business Clubs’ Wine of the Month May 2024

Kingscote Rosé Brut N.V.

This month’s wine of the month is from Kingscote Vineyard, which was one of the first vineyards I started selling English sparkling wines from in 2017. Their first release of sparkling wine was Cuvée Christen, named after the original owner of the vineyard who sadly passed away just as his first sparkling wine was launched, which was a real shame after putting all of the effort into creating such a stunning vineyard. The original cuvee was made of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, and a wonderful introduction to many people of the potential from English sparkling wine.

Last month I was at the Houses of Parliament with Kingscote and Spirit of the Downs for a “Taste of Sussex”, arranged by Mims Davies MP, showcasing the best of Sussex wines and spirits to the rest of the UK.

The Kingscote vineyard is set over 70 acres of vines with many different varieties of grape in the ground. They have been operating organically since 2019 as sustainability and the environment is paramount, they want to protect the beauty and quality of the local land.

They produce wines of award-winning quality which are true to the magnificent 160 acre estate next to the historic Bluebell steam train railway and is set in stunning scenery surrounded with forests and abundant wildlife. Among the rolling hills there are a winding river, fishing lakes and organic apple orchard, and with over five kilometres of natural woodland walks, that can explore our breath-taking land at your leisure.

Kingscote Rosé Brut N.V. is made from 65% Pinot Meunier and 35% Pinot Noir with an alcohol level of 12% vol

Winemaker’s tasting notes

An exceptional expression of an original method English sparkling wine. Fresh acidity and luscious English summer fruits are abundant in this delightfully complex wine, boasting flavours of raspberry, strawberry and shortbread.

Michael’s tasting notes for Kingscote Brut NV Rose

Nose - Strawberry and cranberry, savoury note, delicate white pepper, yeasty notes

Colour - Light rose gold colour with fine and light bubbles

Palate - Strawberries and cranberries. Enjoyable acidity with light fruity lusciousness

Overall - Very enjoyable bubbles, great for any occasion. So easy to drink that I had two more glasses after the first Food Pairing – perfect with chilled king prawns and marie rose sauce

In summary

Kingscote produce a wide range of quality affordable wines, both still and sparkling. It is well worth a wine tasting combined with a ride on the steam railway next door. Their Sylvan Bacchus is a lovely still wine well worth a try as are all of their other creations including their cider. Wines can be brought directly or from many locations in Sussex/

Michael Yeoman, Founder of Brighton and Hove Wine Club

Michael Yeoman specialises in working with small batch wine producers in and around Sussex and the South Downs. He founded Brighton and Hove Wine Club and also creates a range of small batch Sussex Brandies, Grape spirits and Vodka through Spirit of the Downs Distillery based at Bookers Vineyard, Bolney.