SBT issue 478

THE NUMBERS STUDIO:

EMPOWERING ENTREPRENEURS WITH FINANCIAL MASTERY

All business is symbiotic in nature.

You can be inspiring your peers one day, learning from them the next.

In the end, people buy people.

That makes sharing our stories the most compelling way to connect with one another.

What’s needed is a platform to embrace and empower our regional business ecosystem. Where varied backgrounds and perspectives provide new context.

Harnessing potential, enabling growth.

And at the heart of it, a dedicated term of curators unlocking insights for the good of us all.

So we’re changing the way people think of connecting.

Because we believe in self-reflection, rather than self-promotion.

By demystifying the art of storytelling, we deliver authentic thought leadership through events, publishing and broadcast media.

We come together to discover, share and grow.

But we won’t be limited by geography, or our imagination.

Instead, we’ll seek out local leaders, visionaries and experts, wherever great businesses thrive.

Growing communities, in partnership with the businesses that power them.

And nurturing the enterpreneurial spirit in everyone.

SBTWelcome

Welcome to another edition of SBT

Imagine having a dream to run a successful business - only for it to turn into a nightmare. I know, not a good thought, but...

It happens more often than you think and, most likely, because simple problems have been put on the back burner and left to spiral out of control when a quick call to a professional could have had them sorted in no time. The same can be said for missed opportunities.

You’d be surprised how many options become available when an expert gets involved.

Imagine a meme doing the rounds of a cozy bookstore nestled among a plethora of chain stores just off the main thoroughfares in Brighton… An eviction notice sits heavy on the counter. Rent is skyrocketing and the owner’s savings have dwindled faster than a bestselling thriller.

Now imagine the shop door opening and David, a friendly lawyer, walking in.

“Rough day?”

Think of that lawyer explaining the tenant’s rights, encouraging a bit of negotiating and then connecting them with a financial advisor. A strategic budget and grants ideas are just the start there!

It’s a happy ‘Saved The Day’ meme, of course.

Businesses of all sizes benefit hugely from taking professional advice.

Our cover story this month features one such professional services business - The Numbers Studio. Take a look at what it can do for your company. You could well be surprised.

Elsewhere, we highlight the importance of getting the correct legal advice and learn about the benefits of AI adoption in teams.

Of course, it wouldn’t be SBT without a busy networking and events section. Check out what’s going on - including at this Thursday’s Brighton & Hove Business Show.

From charity, the arts and basic, but absolutely essential, business services we’ve got you covered.

After all, what would that meme look like now if a friendly lawyer hadn’t come through the shop door at the exact right time?

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

Discover high-tech solutions for modern-living, how Sussex has launched a world-first in children’s medicine and who will headline the speakers’ list at this year’s DigiFest.

Value Added Partner Stories

This month, County Business Clubs Sussex throws the spotlight on Value Added Partner Gareth Kemp from Simpler with Ai.

Carpenter Box explores electric vehicle tax considerations and Preston Insurance Brokers celebrates 11 years in business.

Mayo Wynne Baxter shares an inheritance tax case study and 365 Employment Law solicitors offers information about settlement agreements.

This month, it all adds up for The Numbers Studio.

Meet the all-new Ford Tourneo Custom.

This year’s loneliness awareness week takes place from 10th to 16th June and the theme is random acts of connection. Read the latest from Together Co.

We sample the Business Leaders’ Wine Club.

Networking & Events

Find out why Linford Christie OBE was in Brighton, look back at this year’s ACUMEN Business Convention and look forward to this week’s Brighton & Hove Business Show - plus much more.

How to use Chat GPT to increase productivity.

We hear from Boxless, a film director who has been involved in this year’s Brighton Fringe, BN1 Arts and motorsport champ Jade Goodwin. We also check out The Howard pub and hear from business mentor Fiona Anderson.

This month’s offering from wine expert Michael Yeoman comes from Smock Alley.

Embracing change - high-tech solutions for modern home living

As the

world

solutions into

continues to

embrace the digital age, the integration of high-tech

everyday life has become more dominant than ever.

Experts at CDMS Sussex have created a guide on living sustainably and as part of this, have explored how smart surveillance and high-tech solutions can be seamlessly integrated into your home. From smart surveillance to automated heating and lighting systems, the latest advancements in home technology offer unparalleled convenience, security, and energy efficiency. Here we are exploring the innovations on offer and how they can be seamlessly integrated into your home.

Despite misconceptions, achieving prime energy efficiency doesn’t

necessarily require extravagant or costly changes. Rather, focusing on smaller alterations can yield significant results, making day-to-day living more comfortable while saving on energy bills and reducing carbon footprint.

Here are some of the ways CDMS Sussex can help to improve the sustainability of your home through high-tech:

Insulation

Effective insulation stands as one of the cornerstones of energy efficiency. Addressing areas such as wall, loft, and floor insulation can substantially reduce heat loss, resulting in substantial savings on heating bills. Additionally, addressing

damp issues, insulating pipes, and implementing thermal-efficient curtains further enhance insulation and energy efficiency.

Draught-proofing

Even the most energy-efficient doors and windows require regular maintenance to perform optimally. By adopting solutions such as weatherstripping, door sweeps, and high-quality door materials, homeowners can prevent heat loss and maintain thermal efficiency.

Boiler efficiency and maintenance

Investing in a reliable and efficient boiler is crucial for maintaining comfort

levels and minimising energy costs. Modern boilers equipped with advanced technologies like condensing systems and modulating burners offer increased efficiency and reduced carbon footprint. Regular maintenance by qualified professionals also will ensure optimal performance and longevity.

Harnessing renewable energy solutions

Renewable energy solutions, such as solar panels and solar hot water systems, offer homeowners the opportunity to generate their own electricity and reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources. By implementing eco-friendly water fixtures and upgrading to energyefficient heating systems, households can further enhance energy efficiency and sustainability.

Additionally, even minor adjustments can significantly improve home comfort and efficiency. Solutions like thermostatic radiator valves and smart thermostats offer customisable temperature control and energy savings, while learning algorithms and remote-control features optimise energy usage.

Solar control glass is also an excellent choice to include in your home, particularly when compared to solar reflective glass or high-insulated glass. It effectively reduces the amount of heat entering a building, enhancing comfort during summer and decreasing the reliance on air conditioning systems. This reduction in solar heat gain translates to significant energy savings and lower cooling costs. By opting for solar control glass, homeowners can enjoy a more comfortable indoor environment while benefiting from improved energy efficiency.

Expanding power supply for highpower devices

When a household introduces highpower-consuming devices like large superchargers for an electric car, they may exceed the capacity of their allocated power supply. In such cases, they would indeed need to increase their power supply. This increase typically involves reaching out to the power network provider to assess the situation and potentially upgrade the household’s connection or infrastructure to accommodate the higher demand.

Expanding the power supply to accommodate larger superchargers is not uncommon, especially as more households transition to electric vehicles or adopt other high-power appliances. It’s a practical step to ensure that the household’s energy needs are met safely and efficiently.

Incorporating the latest technology into homes is not just a trend but a strategic move towards greater efficiency and security. Smart devices for home security, lighting, heating, kitchen appliances, and entertainment systems offer seamless integration and enhanced living experiences.

Energy-efficient homes not only benefit homeowners but also contribute to environmental preservation. CDMS Sussex offer a comprehensive range of services and solutions tailored to meet your energy efficiency needs. To find out how we can help you, or to download the full guide, get in touch today by visiting cdmssussex.co.uk or emailing info@cdmssussex.co.uk

A world first in Sussex to treat children with asthma

Rockinghorse Children’s Charity is working with the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and Brighton and Sussex Medical School to expand access to the world’s first clinic to treat childhood asthma using innovative precision medicine approaches.

Monthly News

More than 1.1 million children in the UK are currently receiving treatment for asthma. The condition is usually treated with inhalers but, until recently, this has been generally untargeted, with similar approaches being used regardless of the child’s individual characteristics or environment.

This ‘one size fits all’ approach may mean that some children don’t respond

to treatments in the most effective way. When this happens, it can be difficult to know why the same treatments do not work in the same way for every child.

However, this research has found that there are ways to help target the exact type of treatment that’s right for each individual child.

Rockinghorse Children’s Charity has previously funded some initial research by Professor Somnath Mukhopadhyay

and his team at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, which developed the personalised approach to treatment based on the genotype of the individual child. This led to the development of a specialist pilot clinic at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, using this approach to find the best way to treat children with asthma.

Professor Mukhopadhyay said: “Rockinghorse’s funding has been very important in supporting the first

Olivia Cottingham, Dr Tom Ruffles and Professor Somnath Mukhopadhyay

ever role out of a personalised medicine led clinic in children’s asthma. We hope this will lead to information that can encourage the NHS to consider adopting these practices nationwide.”

Testing a child to determine their genetic makeup can reveal what medications won’t work for them and, crucially, the ones that will. This means that each child has a better chance of receiving more appropriate treatments for their condition.

This work has resulted in interest at the national level. The NHS is currently discussing how we can study cost-effectiveness, with the aim of making these treatments accessible for children more widely across the UK.

Anyone who has experienced asthma, whether as an adult or a child, will understand the impact it can have on many aspects of life. It can stop them from playing sports, having a pet, or even doing simple things like walking to school or climbing the stairs.

These new treatments for severely affected children have proved lifechanging. One child who previously struggled with controlling his asthma reported his breathing capacity to have transformed virtually overnight after receiving genotype-directed personalised treatment.

Similar improvements have also been reported by other children receiving personalised care.

The research has also been used to create a shift in awareness of these new treatment options. This is now improving clinical practice, informing General Practitioner training in the UK, and is formalised within international treatment guidelines in Australia.

However, despite the success of this initial work, the option to receive personalised medicine treatments remains widely unknown to patients, the public, and other medical practitioners outside of these clinics.

The next stage of this work’s work is based on spreading the word about these new treatments. This aims to raise public awareness and encourage patient engagement so that more children and families can benefit from this transformative research.

Donna Holland, Rockinghorse CEO, said” “Asthma can have a profound impact on a child, stopping them from enjoying so many of the things that children enjoy. It can mean avoiding pets and other animals, finding sport challenging and suffering from allergic reactions to something as simple as cut grass or flowers.

“But with more access to this cuttingedge Precision medicine treatment,

children with asthma will be better supported, and they, and their families, will have access to better, more effective care, support and treatment.

“We are so proud to be able to lead the way with this world-class clinic in Sussex. Rockinghorse Children’s Charity has a longstanding involvement and support of precision medicine research and its implementation for asthma and allergies at the “Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton. This game-changing project expands the support and services available to children and young people with asthma all over Sussex.”

To find out more about Rockinghorse’s work or other projects the charity is funding, visit their website at www. rockinghorse.org.uk

Lush Cosmetics co-founder to speak at DigiFest 2024

Rowena ‘Ro’ Bird will headline Eastbourne’s digital innovation festival.

Monthly News

DigiFest, Eastbourne’s premier digital innovation festival, has unveiled an exciting lineup of headline speakers for its 2024 event. Industry legends Rowena ‘Ro’ Bird, co-founder and product inventor at Lush Cosmetics, and Adam Goswell, tech R&D and digital principle at Lush, will ignite the stage with insights into

groundbreaking technologies, ethical innovation and a visionary discussion on the future of retail.

“We’re thrilled to host such influential and forward-thinking minds at DigiFest 2024,” said Joel Fielder, CEO of Switchplane, the minds behind event organisers Chalk Eastbourne. “Rowena and Adam embody the spirit of innovation that drives our festival.

Their unique journeys, passion for ethical practices, and transformative work at Lush are sure to inspire and challenge our attendees.”

The festival’s keynote session, affectionately dubbed ‘The Lush Hour’, will kick off with a captivating fireside chat between Rowena and celebrated podcaster and entrepreneur Alex Chisnall (founder of Podpreneur and

host of the top-rated ‘Screw It Just Do It’ podcast). Delve into the early days of Rowena’s beauty career, her pivotal role in establishing Lush and shaping the brand’s ethical foundation. Discover her passion for pioneering sustainable packaging solutions and her enduring commitment to ethical sourcing.

Following the fireside chat, Adam Goswell will take the spotlight to deliver a riveting presentation that offers a behind-the-scenes look at Lush’s remarkable history and its commitment to pushing boundaries in the beauty industry. Adam will explore exclusive insights into the transformative work in AI, machine learning, and augmented reality and highlight their commitment to digital ethics. He’ll also offer a tantalising

sneak peek at Lush’s first foray into consumer hardware with the groundbreaking ‘BathBot’ launch.

DigiFest 2024 takes place on Thursday, October 10, and promises to be an unforgettable celebration of transformative technology and creativity and its impact on business and society. Join us as we welcome these visionary leaders, explore the ideas that will shape our digital future, and celebrate Lush’s unwavering drive to innovate with purpose.

Book your ticket today at www.eastbournedigifest.com

If you are interested in sponsoring or exhibiting, email hello@chalkeastbourne.com

About the event

Eastbourne DigiFest is a not-for-profit event that provides a gateway to the exciting world of creative, digital, and tech industries.

This one-day event offers valuable opportunities to network, learn, and explore the latest trends.

Delegates can attend insightful talks and workshops covering AI, photogrammetry, and e-commerce, discover innovative businesses at the exhibition, and build connections that could shape their careers. New for 2024, a special immersive zone will allow attendees to experience cutting-edge technologies firsthand.

Value Added Partner Stories

This month, County Business Clubs Sussex throws the spotlight on Value Added Partner Gareth Kemp from Simpler with Ai.

Tell us your story?

About 20 years ago I was asked a question that helped define my direction in life.

“Assuming money was no object, what would you do that would keep you fascinated, motivated and excited for the rest of your life?”

It was a great question because it helped me create a north star of what deeply interested me, so that work never felt like work.

As I searched for an answer, it became clear to me that what I loved was a mixture of understanding human psychology, of searching for simplicity in all things, and of helping people understand the value of their own work.

I was already on the path of business development for clients, and this helped me clarify what I do and why. As our business evolved over the years, even when creating a 100% pivot into AI training and consultancy, it’s these three aspects that have guided my decision making.

What has been your biggest business challenge to date?

The moment of horror when I realised that anybody, with nothing more than a $20 subscription to ChatGPT, could outperform the hard work, sweat and tears I’d put into my professional experience over the last 20 years.

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

For our clients, we attracted and sold services to the senior leadership teams of Etsy, Spotify, Laurent Perrier and

many others. When I realised we could bottle that work up into AI, and do it in minutes rather than weeks, was my greatest achievement.

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

We have the greatest success with businesses where the leaders want to unlock the potential of their teams. A recent survey from Microsoft shows people who use tools like ChatGPT effectively say it boosts their creativity (92%) and helps them focus on the most important work (93%) as well as helping them feel more motivated (91%) and enjoy work more (91%).

Tell us a fact or story about yourself that people might not know?

I love to marshal at Brands Hatch. It’s a voluntary role where people from every background come together to share a love of motorsport. I spend long days in the rain or baking heat just a few feet from the track. Sometimes it’ll be old Formula 1 cars. Other times it’s a beat up Clio. I love the camaraderie, the competitiveness, the noise, the people.

How do you define success?

Having enough freedom of time to race V8 cars at Brands Hatch! Joking aside, success is all about collaboration. We invest our time in long term relationships where everybody wins by doing meaningful work.

gareth@simplerwith.ai

Electric car tax considerations for companies

By Andrew Neuman, Tax Director at Carpenter Box.

The government is aiming to encourage the use of electric car vehicle ownership to reduce the damaging impact of CO2 emissions on the environment. As part of their strategy, the government offers favourable tax treatment for the purchase and running of electric cars instead of conventional petrol and diesel vehicles.

Tax relief on car purchases

Companies are able to claim tax relief, via capital allowances, on assets purchased. Some assets qualify for 100% capital allowances in the year of purchase under the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) or First Year Allowances (FYA). Traditionally, cars do not qualify for either of these allowances and tax relief is received at

either 18% or 6% of the cost price per year, on a reducing balance basis.

Under current tax legislation, until 1 April 2025 (5 April 2025 for the self-employed and partnerships), the purchase of a brand new electric (zero emission) car will qualify for full tax relief as a FYA. Cars with CO2 emissions not exceeding 50g/km will be eligible for Writing Down Allowances (WDA) at the main rate (18%)

Finance

while such cars with CO2 emissions exceeding 50g/km will be eligible for WDAs at the special rate (6%).

Assets qualifying for FYA do not reduce a business’s AIA entitlement which makes a FYA claim particularly attractive, especially when the AIA can be utilised for other qualifying plant and machinery purchased during the year.

The full cost price of the car will be deducted from the business’s taxable profit in the year of purchase. This will save Corporation Tax for your company at their marginal tax rate between 19% to 25% or at the marginal rate of 20%, 40% or 45% if you are self-employed.

Self-employed car tax

Private use of a vehicle which you use in your business will reduce the amount of capital allowances that can be claimed, by the business, on the cost of the vehicle.

Likewise, the running costs of a car will also be reduced by the proportion of time that it is used privately.

A travel log is recommended to record your business and non-business use of the vehicle to support your claim for tax relief.

Company car tax

Purchasing and owning a car via a company attracts a benefit in kind on the employee who has private use of the car. The company car tax calculation is based on the CO2 emissions and the list price of the car when new (including options).

As an extreme example, a high emissions sports car would attract a benefit in kind at a maximum percentage of 37%. This percentage is applied to the list price of the car when new – say £50,000 - giving a benefit in kind of £18,500. The employee is then liable to

pay tax on this benefit at their marginal rate of tax of 20%, 40% or 45%. This would result in a personal tax liability for every year the car is owned by the company and used by the employee.

The company would also have to pay Class 1A National Insurance Contributions on the benefit in kind, at 13.8%.

Further to the Autumn 2022 budget, it was announced that the benefit in kind rates for zero-emissions electric vehicles would remain frozen at 2% through till 2024/25, however from 2025/26 this will raise to 3%, to 4% in 2026/27 and 5% in 2027/28. From April 2025, zero-emission vehicles will lose their vehicle excise duty exemption.

If you were to opt to purchase the vehicle personally, you would need to fund this from personal cash reserves or take out personal finance. If you are a shareholder in the company concerned, it could be possible to take a dividend from the company to acquire the vehicle. The amount of dividend taken to purchase the car personally would be taxed at your marginal rate of tax of 8.75%, 33.75% or 39.35%. Depending on the cost of the car, the overall level of the dividend required could potentially reduce, or eliminate, your tax-free personal allowance.

Electric charging points

The cost of a brand-new electric charging point, incurred before 31 March 2025 also qualifies for full capital allowances tax relief as a first year allowance (FYA), saving the company Corporation Tax at their marginal tax rate between 19% to 25%.

For a company employee there is no personal benefit in kind charge for a parking space, or the use of charging point provided to you at the

workplace. This is regardless of private use, which is different to the treatment of CO2 emitting cars which are subject to additional benefit in kinds taxable on the employee (and subject to Class 1A National Insurance) for private use of fuel paid for by the employer.

Should the employer pay to have a charging point installed at an employee’s home:

• If the car concerned is the employee’s personally owned car, then a benefit in kind would arise, equivalent to the cost to the employer of providing the charge point (including any VAT).

• If the car concerned is a company car, no benefit in kind will arise in relation to the provision of the charge point.

The company may qualify for a grant towards the purchase and installation of an electric car charge-point at work under the voucher-based Workplace Charging Scheme.

In addition, you may also be able to receive a grant towards the cost of a smart charge point installed at your home.

How we can help

There are currently a number of tax reliefs available for the purchase and use of electric and low emission vehicles, which make them an attractive option to acquire through a business However, the timing of purchases can have a considerable impact on the amount of relief available.

If you are interested in finding out more, please get in touch with our tax team on 01903 234094 or visit www.carpenterbox.com

Clients, colleagues and char siu bao: Preston Insurance Brokers celebrates 11 years in business

It started as an idea on a golf course – and became one of Brighton’s best-loved brokers. As Preston Insurance Brokers marks its 11th birthday, we sit back to enjoy some contemporary Chinese classics – from steamed scallops to salt and chilli chicken.

Tucked away in the tourist-filled Lanes is Gars restaurant –this year’s venue for Preston Insurance Brokers’ 11th birthday. A parade of peers, partners and policyholders attended the event, all ready to mingle the night away on the restaurant’s polished bamboo floors.

As guests made their way upstairs, they were greeted with a flute of fizz and a walking conveyor belt of Chinese classics – from steamed and salted starters to napkin-needed barbecue ribs. Shortly after second helpings, Managing Partner Noel Preston welcomed his guests with a few words:

“Thank you to everyone for turning up. It’s great to get to year 11 and none of this would be possible without our amazing team, suppliers and clients –

some of whom have been with us from the very start. Here’s to year 12.”

As the night unfolded, we took a break from the banquet to congratulate Noel and get his thoughts on the evening:

“Catching up with some long-standing clients really puts into perspective the journey we’ve had so far. In fact, the first-ever person I gave a business card to is here, Gordon Roff, owner of Phoenix Group Construction. We were both in a queue at Argos. Don’t ask me what I was buying – it was a long time ago. Probably some drumsticks.”

Before Noel headed for the skewered satay chicken, we asked about his business plans for the year ahead:

“More of the same. Our focus will always remain on our existing clients, and with the recent addition of two new

client handlers joining our team (Archie Preston and Andy Cook), we have the capacity to manage and arrange more policies for other local businesses.

“In terms of changes in the insurance space, we predict there will be an increased demand for cyber policies and imagine this trend will continue to grow as the digital sphere changes.”

If you want to learn more about Preston Insurance Brokers and how they support businesses across Sussex, London, Reading and beyond, scan the QR code. Right, time for some crispy aromatic duck.

Inheritance Tax case study

Inheritance Tax payments have reached an all-time high of £7.5 billion for 23/24.

By Jessica Partridge,

who heads the Trusts and Tax team at Mayo Wynne Baxter.

So what can you do to try and save on Inheritance Tax?

Quite a few things actually!

Case study

A married couple, Emma and Paul. in their sixties have two children in their late twenties. Their assets comprise:

• House

£700,000 (main residence)

• Rental property

• Bank accounts

£275,000

£100,000

• Life insurance

• Investments

Total

£400,000

£200,000

£1,675,000

Emma has a final salary pension and their joint income levels are around £100,000 per year.

Their wills leave everything to each other and then down to their children equally.

On the first to die there is no Inheritance Tax (IHT) as the assets pass to the spouse free of IHT. On the death of the survivor of them, when the assets

pass down to their children, IHT will be payable as follows:

Can any allowances be claimed here?

The nil rate band (tax free amount) of both parents can be claimed here which are currently £325,000 for each, so £650,000 in total. In addition, there is a residential nil rate band and again in this scenario it can be claimed twice, currently £175,000 so another £350,000 tax free bringing us to £1 million. So the executors of the will have £1 million free of IHT but the

amount poking above that threshold is taxed at 40%.

£1 million IHT free £675,000 charged at 40% = £270,000

An IHT bill of £270,000 has to be paid to HMRC typically within 6 months of the date of the second death.

Could they have undertaken estate planning to minimise the IHT bill? Yes, they could reduce the IHT payable to £0 and here is how.

The life insurance

A nice and easy asset to tax plan with as it will only be paid out on death and, when it’s given away, it has a tiny value. Putting this into a trust, so it does not form part of the estate. will save £160,000 of inheritance tax. A bespoke trust can be drafted, or one can contact their life insurance provider to see if they have a standard document. Beware of the latter though, as I have seen an ambiguously drafted standard from trust go to litigation.

The rental property

The income from the rental property is not essential for the client’s income needs and they consider giving this asset away to their children. It was purchased 20 years ago for £125,000 and it is not their main residence. By giving this asset away outright to their children there would be an immediate capital gains tax (CGT) bill of £35,000. They could pay the CGT, survive 7 years and save £110,000 on IHT.

If they did not want to or could not pay the CGT upfront using a discretionary trust would be the answer here. By giving away the asset into trust, in their lifetime and surviving for 7 years, the value would not form part of their estate for IHT. By using this kind of trust the CGT can be

rolled over and rather than paying the £35,000 the trust inherits the original acquisition value for CGT. After 7 years a saving of £110,000 in IHT is made.

Note – if an individual gives more than the nil rate band (£325,000) away into a discretionary trust there is an immediate charge to IHT at 20% of the amount over the £325,000 and if they die within 7 years the full 40% is chargeable. On the assumption that they have a full nil rate band available to them.

Also note - Joint settlor discretionary trusts, for example for a married couple, have a threshold of £650,000 as both nil rate bands are counted. This can be useful for property with a value over the £325,000 held jointly. CGT hold over relief is also available here too.

The income

Many people know that one can give £3,000 away each year and there is no IHT consequence. More can be given away, but an individual must survive for 7 years in order for it to fall out of their estate for IHT. If one died within that period, their nil rate band is reduced by the amount of the gift.

What many people do not know is that surplus income can be given away without any IHT consequence. This is because IHT is a tax of capital and not income! So, for example, if £100,000 of income was revived but only £50,000 spent in that year the surplus can be regularly given away as a gift out of income. There is a useful spreadsheet used in the IHT400 return, which I always refer my clients to, if they are considering these types of gifts. It’s called an IHT403 and on the last page sets out all of the information HMRC requires in order for the executors to claim the exemption. As with all of these things, it is easier if done in advance!

Every person and family is different in the assets held, their wishes and family complications. This area of law is complicated but there can be considerable IHT savings to be made.

Mayo Wynne Baxter 01273 477071

jpartridge@mayowynnebaxter.co.uk www.mayowynnebaxter.co.uk

Jessica Partridge

Employment law: settlement agreements: What are they? When to use them?

Employment settlement agreements are often used by employers to resolve issues or disputes with employees in a mutually agreeable manner between both parties, writes Alex Jones, Managing Director of 365 Employment Law solicitors.

Whilst settlement agreements are not always the solution for every difficult workplace situation, when used appropriately, they can be mutually beneficial to both employer and employee. However, there are a number of points to be aware of and to think through before entering into discussions.

In this article, we discuss what settlement agreements are, who can enter into such an agreement and when it is appropriate to do so.

What is a settlement agreement and why would you use one?

Settlement agreements are legally binding, written agreements made between an employee and an employer. They are entered into to settle a dispute, disagreement or area of concern and can be used to bring employment to an end or agreed after employment has ended. Less usually, they can also be used without bringing employment to an end.

In terms of why employers might opt to use one, settlement agreements

can be useful to control costs (legal and award costs, if a case goes to tribunal), to manage time and organisational reputation, and to provide assurance that future claims will not be brought to tribunal.

In return for signing an agreement, and preventing an employee from raising future claims, the employee is usually offered some form of financial compensation.

By signing a settlement agreement, an employee will also have the benefit

of being able to exit an organisation quickly and with dignity, avoiding the worry of lengthy formal action, and often with an agreed reference and agreed organisational communication.

Who can enter into a settlement agreement?

Employment settlement agreements are mainly entered into between employers and employees (or ex-employees). In some cases, they can also be used between employers and prospective employees, e.g. job applicants who have a case for discrimination relating to how their application or interview was handled.

When is it appropriate to use a settlement agreement?

Where possible, a settlement agreement should be entered into where legal action has not yet been taken. Settlement agreements are commonly used where the relationship between employee and employer has broken down. They can be used to achieve a “clean break” between employer and employee, leading to termination of employment. Alternatively, they can be used to bring an end to a workplace issue or dispute while allowing employment to continue.

When is it not appropriate to use a settlement agreement?

Settlement agreements should not be used in place of good management practices. Using settlement agreements in this way can contribute to, and further, a workplace culture of poor behaviour. There may be damage caused to employment relations if it is believed that poor performance or conduct is managed and ‘rewarded’ with financial settlement, rather than through good management.

It is important to note that a settlement agreement cannot be considered for certain types of claims, including those

under TUPE, the Agency Workers Regulations 2010, and the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. It is also not possible to contract out of the right to pay/receive statutory entitlements, such as statutory maternity pay or statutory sick pay.

Confidentiality

Settlement agreements often include confidentiality clauses, protecting both the employer’s business interests and the employee’s professional reputation. This feature is generally not available in Employment Tribunal proceedings, which are public and could potentially harm both parties’ reputations.

How to ensure settlement agreements are legally enforceable

For a settlement agreement to be legally enforceable:

• It must be in writing

• It must be signed by the employee

• The employee must have received independent legal advice on the terms and effect of signing the agreement

• The legal advisor must be identified in the agreement

• The legal advisor must be insured for claims raised by the employee for loss arising from the advice

• The agreement must relate to a particular complaint or proceedings

• The agreement must state that the requirements relating to the settlement agreement have been agreed

Deciding the right level of payment

Deciding how much compensation to offer the employee can be difficult for employers. This will be subjective to each organisation but should take into consideration the following when deciding the sum offered:

• the employee’s length of service

• the reason for entering into the settlement agreement

• the potential costs involved if a settlement was not entered into, for example the cost of resources required to resolve the issue and cost to defend a claim at employment tribunal

• the impact on the organisation’s reputation and staff morale if the concern/issue continued.

Can an employee reject a settlement agreement?

Yes, an employee can reject a settlement agreement at any point until it is signed by both parties. Additionally , if you are unable to agree terms, the offer can be withdrawn. However, careful thought should be given by employers about the implications of withdrawing an offer, and what action would be needed to address the original concern.

Employment settlement agreements can be extremely beneficial where there is an ongoing dispute, workplace problem, or potential claim. They bring the matter to a conclusion in a mutually agreeable way. If you are considering entering into an employment settlement agreement, either as an employee (current, previous, or prospective) or employer, it is important to weigh up all of the options available before proceeding.

Employers should always take advice at the earliest opportunity.

365 Employment Law Solicitors Tel: 01903 863284

ajones@365employmentlaw.co.uk www.365employmentlaw.co.uk

The Numbers Studio: empowering entrepreneurs with financial mastery

Let’s face it, the conditions for running a business are tough at the moment, so mastering finances is not just the key to success…but a necessit y for survival.

Did you know that 56% of small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) have sought external funding in the last three years? Additionally, 33% of UK small businesses now have debt over 10x their cash balances, more than double the rate before COVID-19. However, it doesn’t have to be this way…

Cover Story

Enter The Numbers Studio, your local financial wizards in Brighton, ready to transform your business with their unique blend of expertise, commercial savvy and a personal touch. If you’re a business owner who wants to learn how to master your business finances, avoid sleepless nights and reach new business heights?....then you’re in the right place…

Know your numbers!

Solid financial management (“managing your money”) is the backbone of any successful business. Without a firm grasp on your numbers, you’re navigating blind through a minefield of low-margins, slow paying customers, agitated suppliers and “Damn me, how is the VAT due again ALREADY!”. This can lead you to making emotional, uninformed decisions that risk the future of the business or, worse, you get stuck

in a cycle where you’re earning less than an employee, but with all the heartache and hassle of running a business.

Financial management isn’t just boring-old bookkeeping admin, it’s about properly looking at what your numbers are telling you and making informed decisions to navigate through economic uncertainties and improve your chances of success. By having these elements in place, businesses can better manage their resources, plan for the future, and avoid common pitfalls that lead to financial distress.

We all know that cash is King and that poor cash flow management is a primary reason why businesses fail… The Numbers Studio gets it –

they know the challenges and have a simple, age-old process:

Create an annual cash budget that is straightforward. Keep your bookkeeping up-to-date, and each month, compare your actual results with your budget. Investigate any significant discrepancies between your budgeted and actual results.

Implementing this simple system that works, is like using Google maps instead of using a paper map; a simple, yet effective way to tighten up your money game.

About The Numbers Studio

The Numbers Studio was born in

Brighton almost 10 years ago, with a mission to empower entrepreneurs through exceptional financial management. The Numbers Studio is a boutique finance agency and the trusted finance partner for hundreds of businesses across Sussex and London, offering a unique approach that blends financial knowledge with emotional intelligence and commercial insight.

The Numbers Studio’s vision is to see every entrepreneur thrive, free from the stress of financial mismanagement and to help decode the numbers that tell the real story of a business.

Our people focused team of experienced professionals are dedicated to providing bespoke solutions that meet the specific

needs of each client, ensuring that every business owner has the support they need to succeed.

Services offered by The Numbers Studio

Financial compliance: The necessary evils of the business world. We quietly and efficiently ensure your business remains compliant and optimised for tax. The Numbers Studio offers comprehensive financial compliance services, including bookkeeping, payroll, VAT returns, and annual accounts. Our expertise ensures that all financial activities adhere to the latest regulations, helping you focus on growth.

Outsourced finance manager services: For businesses needing more than just compliance, The Numbers Studio’s outsourced finance team service covers everything from day-to-day bookkeeping to detailed management accounts. This allows business owners to have a clear view of their financial health and make informed decisions.

Finance director services: Strategic financial planning is vital for longterm success. The Numbers Studio provides fractional Finance Director support, offering high-level financial planning, performance analysis, and strategic guidance to drive business growth and profitability.

Tax schemes: Navigating tax schemes can be complex. The Numbers Studio assists with various tax schemes, including EIS, SEIS, R&D, and EMI. Their expertise helps businesses maximise tax benefits and reinvest savings into growth initiatives.

Business planning: Their business planning workshops offer strategic clarity through a structured, twoday program. These workshops are backed by case studies demonstrating their effectiveness in helping businesses thrive.

Non-exec board member: Keeping business owners accountable is crucial. The Numbers Studio provides fractional

board members who offer strategic oversight and ensure that business objectives are met.

Success stories and case studies

Case study: One client, a tech startup, struggled with cash flow management and strategic planning. By partnering with The Numbers Studio, they implemented robust financial controls and secured R&D tax credits, leading to increased operational efficiency. This transformation allowed the startup to attract further investment and scale rapidly.

Case study: Another client, a retail business, faced challenges with tax compliance and financial reporting. The Numbers Studio provided comprehensive financial compliance services and strategic advice, resulting in improved financial health and reduced tax liabilities. The business experienced a significant turnaround and increasing profitability.

Educational insight – tips for financial success

Practical tips:

Budgeting: Create a budget that covers all aspects of your business operations. Regularly review and adjust it to reflect actual life, this should be a living-breathing document, not something that’s used so rarely it collects dust!

Cash Flow Management:

Guard your cash flow with your life. Build a ‘war chest’ to fend off unexpected expenses and slower periods.

Tax planning: Stay informed about tax regulations and deadlines. Ask your accountant for a heads up on anything new.

Financial Reporting: Regularly review your numbers (ideally monthly) to stay ahead of potential issues. Remember your financial reports are a ‘lag’ measure, they weigh how successful your other actions were in making money.

financial projections and always plan for the unexpected.

suite of services tailored to the unique needs of each client.

Build a scorecard: This should be 7-15 key measures on a page of A4. If you were cut-off on a desert island, with only this page, you’d still know how the business was doing

Invest in Technology: Utilise software to streamline processes and improve accuracy. Xero + Dext are no-brainer winning combo.

Expert advice: Avoid common financial pitfalls such as overestimating revenue, underestimating expenses, and neglecting the cash impact of quarterly and annual tax obligations. Maintain a prudent, conservative approach to

Resource Guide: There are tonnes of forecasting and cash flow tools available online, and books like “Profit First” by Mike Michalowicz, “Get a Grip” by Gino Wickman and “The Richest Man in Babylon” by Geirge S Clason are all solid choices for developing the framework for generating profit and retaining cash.

Summary

Effective financial management is crucial for business success. By partnering with The Numbers Studio, entrepreneurs can gain the financial clarity and strategic guidance needed to thrive. From compliance and tax optimisation to strategic financial planning, The Numbers Studio offers a comprehensive

Don’t let financial challenges hold your business back. Reach out to The Numbers Studio today to discover how they can help you achieve your business goals.

Want to know more?

For more information about how The Numbers Studio can help your business, visit their website at www.numbers.studio

You can also contact them at 01273 973 741 or hello@numbersstudio.com

Follow them on social media for the latest updates and insights. Book a consultation today and take the first step towards financial mastery.

Rivervale unveils the all-new Ford Tourneo Custom

Calling all Sussex schools, businesses and families! Are you on the hunt for a versatile vehicle that can handle the daily grind and epic weekend adventures with ease? Look no further than the all-new Ford Tourneo Custom.

This isn’t your average multi-activity vehicle. The Tourneo Custom is a gamechanger, offering a choice of powertrains to suit your needs, including the groundbreaking all-electric E-Tourneo Custom.

E-Power for a sustainable future

The E-Tourneo Custom is all about clean, efficient driving. With a powerful electric motor and a 64 kWh battery, experience a driving range of up to 325 km*. Enjoy the serenity of electric propulsion and never worry about rising fuel costs again. Plus, say goodbye to range anxiety – the E-Tourneo Custom can be rapidly charged to 80% in just 39 minutes using a DC fast charger.

Unleash your inner explorer

Whether you’re a business owner transporting clients, a school taking smaller groups on a day trip or a family planning a camping trip to the South Downs, the Tourneo Custom offers unmatched versatility. The spacious interior boasts multiple seating configurations, thanks to the innovative track-mounted seating system. Need to haul luggage for a weekend getaway? Fold down the seats and create a vast cargo area.

Luxury on the move

Comfort is paramount in the Tourneo Custom. Imagine cruising down the A27 with a panoramic glass roof overhead, letting in natural light and creating a sense of spaciousness. Relax in the

plush seats and enjoy the premium B&O sound system. On hot days, the infrared treatment in the panoramic roof keeps things cool, while features like power-operated sliding doors with hands-free opening add convenience.

your needs. Alongside the E-Tourneo Custom, we offer Plug-in Hybrid and EcoBlue diesel options, each with its own advantages.

Designed for the modern professional Sussex businesses, take note - the Tourneo Custom isn’t just about comfort; it’s a mobile workspace too. The innovative tilting steering wheel transforms into a handy laptop holder, perfect for catching up on emails on the go. And with a standard 5G modem, you’ll always be connected.

Peace of mind with Ford Pro

At Rivervale, we understand that your vehicle is an investment. That’s why we offer comprehensive support through Ford Pro. Businesses can benefit from expert advice on home charging solutions, software to manage charging costs, and real-time vehicle health data monitoring through Ford Pro Telematics. This helps prevent breakdowns and keeps your fleet running smoothly.

A

world of choice at Rivervale

The best part? You can choose the Tourneo Custom that perfectly fits

Ready to experience the Tourneo Custom?

Visit Rivervale today and explore the all-new Tourneo Custom range. Our friendly team is here to answer your questions and arrange a test drive. Let’s find the perfect Tourneo Custom to power your Sussex adventures, be it for business or family fun!

Contact Rivervale today on 01273 433480 or visit rivervale.co.uk

*Driving range figures are based on WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) and are provided for comparison purposes only. Individual range may vary according to optional equipment, weather conditions, driving habits, and vehicle load.

Charging times are based on ideal conditions and may vary according to charging infrastructure and weather.

Motoring News

Loneliness Week 2024

This year’s loneliness awareness week takes place from 10th to 16th June and the theme is random acts of connection.

Loneliness is a universal human emotion that most people will experience at some point in their lives. It goes beyond the physical state of being alone and can manifest even in crowded rooms or amidst a group of friends. In recent years, loneliness has gained attention as a significant public health issue due to its detrimental effects on both mental and physical well-being.

Research has shown that chronic loneliness can have severe repercussions on one’s health. It has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, depression, anxiety, and even premature death. The impact of loneliness on mental health is particularly concerning, as it can lead to feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and despair.

What is Loneliness Awareness Week?

Loneliness Awareness Week is a week

dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness. It’s all about creating supportive communities by having open, honest conversations. Loneliness is a natural human emotion - we are hardwired to need social connections. By talking about it, we can support ourselves and others.

The campaign centres on a powerful message which resonates with many. It’s trended on X, formerly Twitter, reached 271.5 million people in one week with

Charity

the campaign, and each year we’ve seen tens of thousands of organisations, charities and individuals get involved, including the Royal Family, the Prime Minister, Major of London, NHS trusts, and all Government departments.

Who runs the campaign?

The Marmalade Trust launched Loneliness Awareness Week in 2017 and is one of several charities in the UK which offers support for people who are lonely and socially isolated. Their campaign has grown nationally and internationally over the past seven years. In Sussex, charities tackling loneliness and social isolation include Together Co and Time To Talk Befriending.

What can the campaign achieve?

Loneliness Awareness Week is vital in increasing awareness and understanding of loneliness and we can create a more connected society.

Whilst we’re seeing an increase in discussion on the subject, stigma remains and some key misconceptions still need to be challenged. Ask anyone to picture a lonely person and most will imagine an older person living on their own. As such, we often rebuke and dismiss feelings of loneliness because ‘that doesn’t apply to me’.

By identifying and acknowledging all the times that we have personally felt and experienced loneliness, we can start to change our viewpoint, accept it and understand how to take action to manage the feeling (and our social connections) in the future.

www.lonelinessawarenessweek. org/about

How can we help locally?

Together Co is a charity in Brighton and Hove which supports people in its community by creating connections.

It operates a network of more than 500 volunteers, who deliver support across the city to people who are lonely or socially isolated.

The issue of loneliness is endemic with 8% of people in Brighton and Hove saying they often or always feel lonely, according to ONS research.

But loneliness is a symptom of a far bigger issue; poor social health that results from people feeling a lack of connection or belonging.

Together Co wants Brighton and Hove to become the social health capital of the

UK and is asking you to help improve the wellbeing of your communities.

Social health is defined by our connections and the quality of relationships which fundamentally impact our well-being.

Get involved

Get involved by volunteering and giving your time to connect with others across Brighton and Hove. Volunteering roles can be flexed around your busy schedule.

Put on an event or take on a challenge to fundraise for Together Co. Not only will you be bringing people together, but you will be helping the charity to reach more people across the city.

Spread the word by telling people about Together Co and the work it does. Talk about social health and loneliness, connection and community. All it takes is a conversation to start making a difference.

If you are interested in finding out more about social health and what Together Co does, or you would like to find out more about volunteering, visit https://togetherco.org.uk/

Business Leaders Wine Clubnetworking with a difference

Business Leaders Wine Club is not your average networking event. Its mission is to make discovering new wines an exciting, shared experience that will develop your presence in the thriving Sussex business community. By Jackie Ashwood.

Networking & Events

Business Leaders Wine Club (BLWC) launched in September 2022 and was founded by Sandra Murphy, a business coach and mentor, Alex Ryan, owner of the agency Marketing 101, founder of Vermouth Actually and board member for Gaydio, and Karl Elwood, founder of Elwood Wine Selections.

Other co-founders include Chris Mansfield, owner of Fusion, The Business Catalyst. He is a full-time professional and dedicated networker Also Mike Monk, who has mentored and

helped a number of small businesses to grow while running successful business to business shows for the past 35 years.

Together they host regular, exclusive wine tastings at a variety of venues around Brighton, and with some incredible partners and guest speakers providing some amazing icebreakers, such as the wines to taste, the cheeses to accompany, some wine industry education, or even getting hands-on and creative with wine itself.

I had the absolute pleasure of being a guest at their most recent event, which

was a blind tasting event. For those who don’t know me, cheese and wine are my two favourite things!

Being the wine connoisseur I am, I was so game for this event. Turns out I don’t know as much as I thought. It was an interesting and informative event. It’s a great way to not only maintain existing relationships, meet new people but also learn something new.

I do have to also give a shout out to Curds & Whey, the food sponsor based in Hove. Some of the most delish cheese and charcuterie I’ve had. The

game changer for me was the Golden Cross goats’ cheese, amazing.

As from 2024, the BLWC chose Together Co as their charity partner, working with their CEO, April Baker and her team to help raise their profile in the business community.

Together Co connects people, places and ideas to create a society that everyone can be part of.

They think the human connection is powerful. They help people make connections through their befriending, social prescribing and volunteering services in Brighton, Hove and beyond.

They do this through two amazing ways:

Befriending - everybody should have somebody. They match people with people to create friendships that make life better. They’ve been doing

so for over 20 years. In that time, they’ve seen loneliness eased and lives changed – all through the simple power of human connection.

Social prescribing - social connections are key to wellbeing. They help people find the people and places they need to be happier and healthier. This might be having someone they can chat to when you need to, or someone who helps them navigate local services that could benefit you. ‘’We connect, and we care.’’

So, what’s next…

Well, get ready for an unforgettable adventure with the Business Leaders Wine Club (BLWC) as they embark on another scenic journey, this time to the picturesque Wiston Estate nestled in the stunning South Downs. Prepare for an exquisite evening of wine, mingling, and entertainment!

On Wednesday 26th June from 4.15pm- 9pm

After a welcome glass of bubbles, you’ll get to climb aboard a charming vintage Routemaster double-decker bus, picking you up from outside WRAP, a co-working space just outside Brighton Station. Enjoy the unique experience of “speed” networking on the bus as you make your way to Wiston Estate, with our very own Sam Thomas conducting a series of podcasts on the lower deck.

Savour a curated selection of cheeses and charcuterie, perfectly paired with a selection of wines at Wistons’ Chalk Restaurant. And then get to enjoy the summery beats of Alex Ryan, who also happens to be a great DJ.)

Book your ticket here: The Business Leaders Wine Club 26/6/2024 –Business Leaders Wine Club

Best of British Events welcomes Linford Christie OBE to Brighton

World and Olympic champion Linford Christie shares his story of making history and what

it entails to become the best in

sport.

Networking & Events

More than 500 business leaders joined Best of British Events at the Grand Hotel Brighton to meet athletics legend, and ultimately the most decorated British athlete in history, Linford Christie OBE.

Christie is a Jamaican-born former sprinter and athletics coach who represented Britain. During the event, Christie shared his story of growing

up and moving to Shepherds Bush, in London, at the age of seven years old.

His career started when he was first seen by his teacher, who saw him run across the playground and noticed his speed. He then went on to train for the school team - and the rest was history.

Christie revealed: “Initially, I thought I had all the talent in the world, and I didn’t need to train. But I was wrong. My coach wrote me a letter and told me if

you can change your lifestyle, you could be really good. After a discussion with my family, I gave it a try. I sacrificed a lot – I gave up chocolate, sweets and alcohol. I increased my training to six days a week. Within six months I went from being one hundred and four in the world to fourth.”

Christie went on to become the only British man to have secured gold medals in the 100 metres at the four major competitions available to British

athletes: the Olympic Games, the World Championships, the European Championships, and the Commonwealth Games. Christie was the first European to run the 100 metres in under 10 seconds and held the British record for nearly 30 years.

Christie was also the oldest Olympic 100-metre Champion by four years, having won gold at the age of thirtytwo. Christie discussed the challenges he faced as a mature runner but firmly believed in the power of mindset. Despite the limitations others presented to him, while he still believed, it could still be achieved.

He said: “I was told that I was too old from the age of twenty-six. I was unbeaten in Europe for eight years. But I was still told I was too old.

“Belief is the biggest thing. If you don’t believe in yourself, how can you expect anyone else to believe in you? So I changed my mindset. I never got into a race that I thought I couldn’t win. And, if I didn’t win, my best wasn’t good enough. That was my attitude.

“I was born to run, there is no doubt in my mind about it. But you have to have the right people around you to help you and a lot of people just don’t have that. I was lucky.”

This prestigious networking event was in aid of the Chailey Heritage Foundation – a Sussex based charity dedicated to changing the lives of young people with complex disabilities. The charity provides education, care and transition services to children and young adults.

Guests included business leaders from Rubix VT, Creative Pod, Extech Cloud, Bennett Oakley Solicitors, Webtrends Optimize, Sussex Business Times and Dev Assist.

Ryan Heal, CEO of Best of British Events, said: “Linford’s story was very inspiring, and it was an honour to welcome him to The Grand Hotel to explore his story and wins. With his support and the generosity of guests and sponsors, we raised in excess of £25,000 for the Chailey Heritage Foundation.”

Best of British Events hosts a range of leading business networking events and fundraisers across Sussex and London. For more information please visit: https://bestofbritish.org.uk

Rocking (and Rolling) - the Sussex Business Landscape at the 14th Annual Acumen Business Convention

Drumroll please! The Acumen Business Convention 2024 has yet again aimed for the moon and delivered a rock legend - Kenney Jones of The Who. That’s not all. There was a Games Networking room and, to captivate every delegate, there were phenomenal speakers, headlined by the irresistibly sweet Jamie Laing, of Candy Kittens.

Networking & Events

This ground-breaking event, held at the Grand Hotel, Brighton, exceeded all expectations, attracting entrepreneurs, industry leaders and visionaries from around Sussex and beyond.

It would be hard to describe this year’s Acumen Business Convention in one word. Exciting? Tick. Extravagant! Tick. Hot? Double tick. Another successful event with nearly 300 business decision-makers in the room and plenty already signing up for next year’s event on the 22nd of May 2025.

It will be the 15th event and will no doubt be Acumen’s biggest yet.

This year’s line-up was bound to dazzle, and dazzle it did! Starting with a special keynote, Jamie Laing, co-founder of Europe’s fastest-growing confectionary brand, Candy Kittens. With his magnetic presence on social media and TV (BBC Three’s ‘I Like The Way U Move’, Radio 1 co-host, ‘Strictly Come Dancing finals’, ‘NewlyWeds Podcast ’– to name a few), Jamie is a true luminary in the entertainment world and an entrepreneurial powerhouse. He delivered unmissable insights into leadership and

approaching business with a ‘childlike’ attitude. But that’s not all…

The stage was graced by incredible guest speakers, each bringing their unique insights and experiences to the table. Marc Convey shared his outlook on leadership, wellbeing and dealing with trauma and recovery. Carole Gaskell demonstrated how to drastically raise performance and grow your business using her three secrets to leadership success and, last but not least, completing the line up was a successful business entrepreneur, multiple Guinness World Record breaking adventurer

and a former Royal Marine Commando, helicopter pilot and Special Forces Officer, Neil Laughton, who shared his captivating business and adventure stories!

Now, of course, the Acumen Business Convention would not have been the Acumen Business Convention without the spotlight on local heroes who loved the centre stage at their respective TedXstyle four speaker arenas. Matt Turner, of Creative Pod, Deborah Worley, of the ZDL Group, Lorraine and Kausar Ali, of Upfix Appliance Repairs, and Rob Starr, of the SEICO Group. Each and every one of them truly had a fascinating story - if only we could quadruple and attend all four arenas!

In line with the keynote’s encouragement for each and every business delegate to check in with their inner child, the Acumen team delivered a brand new Games Networking room, on top of the beloved Chill-Out and Speed Networking rooms, all serving to break-up the day. Fancy a chat over Connect 4? Or maybe you’re more of a Jenga- type of business owner? Networking over a healthy dose of competitive spirit sure brings out interesting conversations and meaningful business connections which you won’t find at any other networking event! However if you are more of a dancer than a gamer, then not a worry. For the first time ever, the room exploded with dance shenanigans when Sharon Starr took to the stage with her Zebra dancer accompaniments and delivered the Super Trouper ABBA medley! Can’t go wrong with an ’80s throwback.

The day concluded with a prestigious Handelsbanken Reception, which gathered all the delegates for a final networking opportunity alongside a much deserved and enjoyed a glass of wine and bagels from Brighton’s famous Bagelman.

The convention once more delivered its manifesto, which is to educate, inspire, connect, and entertain. It certainly did all that sparkled with surprises and Acumen magic and a solid amount of games along the way!

Kenney Jones, The drummer of The Who, Faces and Small Faces

Jamie Laing, co-founder of Europe’s fastestgrowing confectionary brand, Candy Kittens

Zebra dancers with the Convention delegates

Silver Star Cleaning sponsors breakfast networking event

The next meeting of the Big Business Breakfast Club is taking place on June 21.

Networking & Events

Join the Big Business Breakfast Club’s next meeting on Friday, June 21 from 8am. This month’s special guest is Paige Collins, managing partner at Warren House Accountants. She will go head-tohead in a live Q&A with Sam Thomas.

The Q&A will be followed by Alex Ryan, from Marketing 101, who will offer marketing hints and tips. There will be plenty of time to meet other like-minded business people in the room.

The sponsor - Silver Star Cleaning

When you need a regular, dependable cleaning service in Brighton, Hove or the encompassing areas, you can rely on a company which has three generations’ worth of experience. Silver Star Cleaning was established in 2003 by Mark Newman, who wanted to ensure the high standards set by his grandfather and uncle were continued.

Mark’s family have been providing

specialist cleaning services in Brighton and Hove since 1952 and the current team has a combined experience of over 65 years. For the last 20 years, Silver Star Cleaning has been building a reputation for trustworthy cleaning, carrying out many types of cleaning services from domestic window cleaning, carpet cleaning, end of tenancy cleans, right the way through to commercial cleaning contracts for everything from offices to sports stadiums.

Guest speaker - Paige Collins

Paige was a Senior Partner at one of the top 100 firms of Chartered Accountants in the UK and has nearly 40 years’ experience advising clients on all aspects of their financial affairs.

She has a passion for playing and watching sports – motor sports, cricket, hockey, squash, and golf. She has a motor sport race licence and is hoping to compete one day.

On top of this, Paige is also an author of two books due to be released soon.

The first book is called; A New Paige - My journey, which is my biography. The second book is called; The Colours of Emotional Profit which looks how business’s and individuals measure their non financial returns being based on colours and not numbers

Sponsor’s nominated charity – Adur Special Needs Project

The purpose of the project is to provide the necessary facilities for the care, recreation and education of children, young people and adults in the West Sussex area who have special needs and disabilities.

The team looks forward to seeing you on Friday, June 21. Tickets will sell out, so book in advance.

Book here now: 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

FirmBalls once again scores a charity hattrick at the Amex

FirmBalls, the innovative business that fosters connections through the power of sport, recently hosted its sixth annual seven-a-side tournament at the iconic American Express Community Stadium, home of Brighton and Hove Albion FC.

Networking & Events

This year’s thrilling tournament, sponsored by DevAssist, saw 16 teams with 160 players from the FirmBalls network and beyond compete fiercely for the coveted FirmBalls Cup.

The competition was intense from the start, with nail-biting group stages and quarter-finals decided by the narrowest of margins. The semi-finals featured dramatic end-to-end action as Foster & Co Estate Agents faced off against Focus Group, and Jonathan Lea Network took on Kindling Restaurant.

In the end, it was our returning team, Jonathan Lea Network, and tournament newcomers, Foster & Co, who battled it out in the final. In a closely contested match, Jonathan Lea Network clinched the victory with a 1-0 win, securing the FirmBalls Cup.

FirmBalls Managing Director, Sam Thomas, shared his excitement saying: “This is always a highlight of the FirmBalls calendar. The support for this event was overwhelming, as always.

“The day was filled with great spirits, allowing many players to fulfill their dream of playing on a Premier League

pitch. We also supported our two chosen charities, Rockinghorse Children’s Charity and The Starr Trust, raising much-needed funds. Additionally, we contributed to Rett UK, the charity chosen by this year’s winners, Jonathan Lea Network.”

The event was not just about the players; many colleagues and supporters from participating companies turned out, creating an electrifying atmosphere and making it a true spectacle.

Jonathan Lea from Jonathan Lea Network, cup winners, said:

“Participating in the Firmballs tournament at the Amex Stadium was an incredible experience. The energy and enthusiasm from everyone involved made it a day to remember. I’m very proud of our team, in particular our corporate solicitor Callum Ritchie and his friends from Hove FC (who we sponsor), who all played exceptionally well and ensured we emerged as winners. On a personal note, I was delighted to play this time after being injured last year, while scoring the third goal in our first match was a memorable highlight and made me feel slightly less like the overweight 40-something player being carried by the others.

“Beyond the excitement on the pitch, it was rewarding to know that our efforts also support fantastic causes like the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, The Starr Trust, and Rett UK. A huge thank you to Sam Thomas for organising such a fantastic event and to all the teams who participated. Well done to everyone involved and we look forward to defending our title next year.”

Sam expressed his gratitude, adding: “I want to thank our headline sponsors, my good friend Paul Addison and the DevAssist team, the team at BHAFC, especially Billy Brown and Jack Joyce, our photographer

Daniel Perry, our videographer Ryan Alfonso from The Content Marketing Agency, the FirmBalls Team – Mike Jeffries, Chris Weller, Andrew Howell, Rob Carron, Brad Godden – and Toby Graves from TPG Sports Events. And, of course, all the teams and companies who participated and made it a day to remember.”

The event is set to return in 2025. Anyone interested in securing an early bird spot can contact sam@firmballs. com or visit the FirmBalls website.

www.firmballs.com

Ignite growth: the free business show you can’t miss!

It’s all systems go for Brighton & Hove Business Show - and you are invited.

Feeling stuck in a business rut? Craving fresh ideas and industry insights?

Want to build your network? Look no further than Brighton & Hove Business Show.

Taking place at the Amex Stadium from 10am to 3pm on June 13, it is your onestop shop for all things business. The best part? It’s completely free to attend. Just turn up on the day.

This power-packed event brings together industry leaders, innovative startups and ambitious entrepreneurs like yourself.

Organiser Mike Monk promises a day that will give you the chance to hear from business titans and thought leaders. Through the show’s packed seminar timetable, get a glimpse into their strategies and discover how to overcome the same challenges they faced. What you learn could unlock the secrets to propelling your own venture forward.

Looking for actionable ideas? Brighton & Hove Business Show has those too. Dive deep into practical, hands-on sessions led by industry experts. Learn cuttingedge marketing tactics, master the art of using AI, or discover the latest tech solutions to streamline your operations.

“Brighton & Hove Business Show is a networking goldmine,” said Mike. “This event is important if you want to make valuable connections. Come along and mingle with like-minded entrepreneurs, potential clients and industry veterans who can propel your business growth.”

Exploring this vibrant expo is easy. As well as free entry, there’s free parking too. And with a cafe/bar in both exhibition lounges, you will never be far away from refreshments.

So, want to discover the latest solutions to boost your productivity, enhance customer experience and stay ahead of the curve?

Make sure you are at the Amex Stadium on June 13.

This free business show isn’t about information overload – it’s about igniting your entrepreneurial spirit. Get inspired by success stories, gain actionable insights and network with the who’s who of the business world in Sussex and beyond.

It’s your chance to find the perfect tools, resources and partners to take your business to the next level, all under one roof.

The event has been curated to ensure everyone leaves feeling invigorated with fresh perspectives and dynamic solutions to tackle even the biggest business challenges.

Mike says one of the top advantages is learning things that will help a business gain the competitive edge. “It really is important to stay ahead of the curve by learning about the latest industry trends and leveraging them to your advantage.”

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to elevate your business game. Online registrations are now closed - just turn up on the day for free entry.

This year’s show has been generously sponsored by Data Mail Solutions Limited, PBS Group and County Business Clubs Sussex. Titan Workwear has kindly sponsored trophies for the Best Stand competition.

View the exhibitor list here: https:// brightonandhovebusinessshow.uk/ show-details/exhibitors-list/

Tickets are still available for the show’s Networking Breakfast, taking place in HB’s restaurant in the Stadium at 8am. For tickets, visit: https://ticketpass.org/ event/EGTDGL/brighton-and-hovebusiness-show-breakfast-2024

How do I use ChatGPT to increase productivity?

“Raise your hand if you used ChatGPT last week.”

I was in the audience at a conference where that question was asked about six months ago. A few hands went up. Yesterday, that question was asked to a similar audience. Every hand went up, except for two. This isn’t just locally in Sussex. A Microsoft survey from May shows that globally, 75% of knowledge workers use AI in their daily tasks, with over half having started in the last six months.

Productivity gains from AI

The reason for the massive uptake is simple: AI makes people more productive. However, there’s a stark gap between those who experiment with ChatGPT and those who have had proper training.

Individuals trying to figure it out on their own often report decreased productivity. They find it takes longer to complete tasks with AI than doing them the “oldfashioned way.”

Training saves time and provides immediate ROI

Conversely, those who have undergone training and are at least “familiar” with AI experience the greatest benefits. They report that AI makes their overwhelming workloads more manageable (92%), boosts their creativity (92%), helps them focus on the most important work (93%), and increases their motivation and job satisfaction (91%).

Once they see what’s possible, they start to reorient their work patterns fundamentally. Trained users are 56%

more likely to use AI to catch up on missed meetings, 51% more likely to analyse information, 49% more likely to design visual content, interact with customers, and brainstorm or problem-solve.

What do people do with their extra time?

Microsoft’s survey revealed that people repurpose the time saved by AI for highvalue focus work, such as creating and consuming information. Our clients have seen similar results. Nobody wants to do dull, repetitive, and time-consuming work, especially if AI can handle it quickly and with equal or better quality.

People prefer to focus on enjoyable and high-value tasks. AI also allows them to impact their roles beyond individual contributions. Microsoft found that AI

users are 66% more likely to redesign their business processes and workflows to benefit the entire organisation. We’ve seen that just one or two AI-savvy individuals in a business can streamline processes and significantly impact ROI.

The lack of an AI strategy

A clear AI strategy is the biggest obstacle preventing widespread AI adoption. Without guidance or clearance from the top, employees use AI but keep it under wraps. If leadership doesn’t have a plan, employees get stuck in the “Embarrassment” stage of AI adoption. They know AI can have an immediate impact but worry that using it for important tasks might make them appear replaceable. Over half of the surveyed employees were reluctant to admit using AI for their most important tasks.

This reluctance means businesses miss out on the benefits of strategic AI use and risk data security in an environment where cybersecurity and data privacy are the number one concerns for the year ahead.

I don’t know what AI can do for me or my business…

The most common question we hear is,

“I don’t know what AI can do for me or my business.” You can’t have a strategy if you don’t know what AI can do. Here’s how to get started:

1. Identify a Business Problem: Apply AI to specific business challenges. For example, improve customer service call-handling times or create hyperpersonalised sales proposals quickly.

2. Top-Down, Bottom-Up Approach: Engage everybody from the CEO to entry-level employees. There’s zero technical requirement to use generative AI and we often find that people who feel they are not technical often find the greatest gains.

3. Prioritise Training: People want to use AI effectively, not on their own or without guidance. Training unlocks their potential and ensures they use AI effectively and with confidence.

How to get started

The demand for AI is growing, and its ability to improve productivity and job satisfaction is undeniable.

To stay competitive, you need to

understand what AI can do for you and your business.

To help you get started, we have created a free 1-hour “AI for Work” Training workshop. This hands-on experience will show you exactly what generative AI can do for you and your business. At the end of the session, you’ll have clarity on exactly how you can use it in your business to impact the ROI.

We’d hate for you to feel left behind and see other’s accelerate past you, or for your people to leave for opportunities that help gain the skills they know they need.

If you’d like an online session, you can book it directly at: https://simplerwith. ai/book-ai-training

Or if you’d like a conversation or to arrange an in-person session, book a quick call at https://simplerwith.ai/aitraining-info and we can ensure you get what you need.

Gareth gareth@simplerwith.ai 07762 526 574

The Missing “D” in DEI - the decline in diversity efforts

By strategic consultancy Boxless.

The term DEIDiversity, Equity and Inclusion - has become central to discussions around organisational culture and social responsibility. Following the movements and heightened awareness in 2020, many organisations pledged to improve diversity efforts. However, that drive has seemingly slowed down and there are worrying signs that the “Diversity” in DEI is being overshadowed and neglected posing significant risks to organisations and society.

Lifestyle

The peak of 2020 and the subsequent decline 2020 marked a watershed moment for social awareness. George Floyd’s murder and Black Lives Matter protests resonated globally, catalysing a national reckoning with racial inequality. Four years on the urgency of 2020 has faded and Diversity efforts have been deprioritised. Within Sussex key figures in the DEI space believe organisations are content with efforts:

Annie Whilby, Trustee of the Black Anti-Racism Community Organisation, says: “Brighton uses its positive reputation on sexuality and gender issues as a cover for less progression with regards to racial equity.

“Organisations cannot ease this burden by simply declaring inclusivity - actions speak louder than words. Any efforts must be authentic and sustained over time, and ideally involve local people or organisations with lived experience of the inequalities attempting to be addressed.”

What are some examples of this decline?

Tech - a report from Tech Nation highlighted that Black employees still only make up a small fraction of the workforce, with minimal year-on-year increases.

Education - The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) found that the percentage of Black or minority ethnic members has barely moved from 6% over the past decade.

What are the risks of neglecting diversity?

A McKinsey study found companies in the top 25% for racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to have financial returns above their industry medians.

Underrepresented groups can feel disillusioned and disengaged without genuine commitment to diversity. This can lead to higher staff turnover and lower productivity. In today’s socially conscious marketplace, stakeholders prefer to engage with brands that reflect diverse values.

Why are we seeing these challenges? Without concrete, measurable goals for diversity, it’s difficult to ensure accountability. Engaging in “performative” diversity efforts, such as one-time training sessions or symbolic gestures gives the illusion of progress without addressing systemic issues. During economic downturns, diversity initiatives can be seen as expendable. Organisations often view them as non-essential or

rely on box ticking exercises that are disingenuous.

What can your organisation do?

Get support: Speak to advisors, consultants and your stakeholders for input.

Establish clear goals: Set specific, measurable goals and report on progress. Transparency helps maintain focus and accountability.

Embed diversity into core values: Go beyond surface-level initiatives and make systemic changes to policies, practices and culture.

Think long term: Ditch one-off training sessions, ditch box ticking - change takes time and persistence.

Be accountable: Leaders at all levels should be held accountable. Diversity is not just a tick box it must be a lived reality within the organisation.

The decline in diversity efforts is a worrying trend that needs immediate attention. By re-committing to diversity, setting clear goals and looking at the long term, these values can be embedded into the fabric of organisational culture.

Navigating the Government’s 2050 Net Zero Strategy

Lifestyle

The UK’s net zero strategy aims to eliminate net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, requiring profound changes across all sectors. In short, businesses must reduce their carbon footprint and adopt sustainable practices.

Stricter regulations and compliance will be introduced year on year including carbon pricing mechanisms and mandatory reporting on greenhouse gas emissions. Getting ahead now will reduce disruption later.

Energy

Transitioning to renewable energy sources is a cornerstone of the net zero strategy. Investigating which renewable energy technologies fit best, such as solar or wind, will help. Through an energy audit, organisations can identify opportunities to incorporate renewable energy and improve energy efficiency. Small changes now make the task less daunting. For example, upgrading to LED lighting, optimising heating and cooling systems and utilising smart metres to monitor and manage energy use.

Transport

The transportation sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The UK government’s push for EV’s has been stop-start to say the least. However, by switching to EV’s, companies will enjoy lower fuel costs, reduced maintenance and potential tax incentives. Installing EV chargers at your business premises further supports this transition.

Sustainability and supply chain

Businesses must consider the sustainability of their supply chains. Assessing suppliers’ environmental practices and ensuring they adhere to sustainable practices will soon become mandatory. Implementing a green procurement policy now can help ensure minimal disruption in the future.

Financial implications and opportunities

Achieving net zero will require investment, so the sooner you start the further you can spread that cost. However, it also presents opportunities for growth and innovation as the UK government has often provided additional support and incentives to early adopters. Researching those relevant and available in your sector now is a great start.

Clarifying sustainability goals and employee engagement in green initiatives will take time. Establishing a strategy now with transparent communication can enhance brand reputation and customer loyalty.

Monitoring and reporting

Regular monitoring and reporting of

progress towards net zero goals are essential. Set measurable targets, track performance and report on sustainability initiatives. This not only ensures accountability but also provides valuable insights into areas needing improvement.

The UK government’s 2050 net zero strategy presents both challenges and opportunities for businesses. By proactively adapting now and getting strategically organised, businesses can position themselves with a strong foundation. Embracing this transformative agenda will ultimately contribute to a more resilient and sustainable economy.

www.boxless.uk info@boxless.uk

From film Landscapes of the Heart to transgressive performance art

An interview with Andrew Finch, director, writer and curator, whose work has formed part of this year’s Brighton Spiegeltent programme.

Lifestyle

What inspired you to become a filmmaker, and how did you start your journey in the film industry?

I was a student at South London Gallery’s Film School, a radical film school for underrepresented filmmakers in 2019, led by Palestinian-British director Saeed Farouky.

The course gave me the confidence to think outside the box about how to make a film, away from big production teams and budgets. Just doing it yourself without asking permission and collaborating with friends and other like-minded creatives.

I made my first film, Landscapes of the Heart, which explored Brighton’s subcultures over the past thirty years in 2019. It got picked up by local and national film festivals and I co-founded an independent film festival in London afterwards.

Last year, I received a BFI-funded mentorship and a small grant from Cinema For All to establish a film exhibition in London, called Carousel, which I’ve been curating since at Photo Book Café in East London. It invites emerging and established filmmakers to showcase their work around a changing theme.

Since then, I’ve been working on my own

films, writing for arts publications and programming the fourth edition of Carousel which will premiere later this year.

How do you approach storytelling and character development in your films?

I’m less interested in making narrative films that follow a typical arc and structure, although I enjoy watching them. As a director, I try to move toward a sense of feeling or emotion that can be carried to the audience whilst remaining close to the heart of the subject matter.

My films utilise on-screen text, archive footage, found images, audio field recordings and, most recently, AI-voice

in Deer Park, to tell a story through the bricoleur method of using what’s to hand to build a tapestry within the work.

Where did the inspiration come from for your latest film Deer Park?

Last summer, Mike Sefton, organiser of Nothing Short of a Total War!, approached me with the idea of a night dedicated to transgressive performance art at Brighton Spiegeltent.

Sometime after, No Hawkers Gallery in Brighton exhibited the archives of Kim and Lee Oliver based around the group’s Coil and Crass. I attended and had the idea of bringing Lee’s written correspondence from John Balance (of Coil) to life through AI voice-cloning within a film.

I visited many of the places which the group occupied over their history and Deer Park developed around ideas of pilgrimage, psychogeography, music fandom in a pre-digital age, the occult and subcultures within East Sussex, London and Somerset.

How did it feel to have your film played in the Spiegeltent as the main event compared to last year when

your work was presented in the Mobile Cinema Van?

It was great! We filled it out despite the English summer rain.

I love small, unusual venues to show films. The Vintage Mobile Cinema Van suited the intimate nature of my first film, Landscapes of the Heart, which is about Brighton’s free party scene.

This year, screening work alongside work by Mike Sefton, Jill Westwood and Coum Flakes, all of which had a performance element, Spiegeltent was perfect. It was beautifully chaotic and the roof of the neighbouring Bosco Tent blew off during the night, a first in its century-old history.

What are your thoughts on the local film industry, and how do you see it evolving in the next few years?

Brighton has always been fortunate to have a strong independent film scene.

CINECITY Brighton Film Festival has been running for over twenty years now and they show a brilliant body of work each year. They’ve always been

supportive of young local filmmakers such as myself.

I’d like to see more collectives of young people developing a programme of their work in smaller, grassroots spaces. Perhaps merging with visual arts spaces such as the Phoenix Gallery, Fabrica or John Marchant Gallery. More life to experimentation of films and spaces in which to screen them!

Can you share any advice for aspiring filmmakers who are just starting?

‘Find what you love and let it destroy you’.

Ideas can take time to germinate and you can sit on something for years. Things occasionally fall from heaven, but not often. Trust the process and allow yourself to be open to the world, new environments and people.

Don’t get bogged down by thinking you can’t make a film because you don’t have the resources. It’s ideas and depth that make a film, not expensive cameras. There are no rules.

Begin anywhere. Take time to find yourself and your audience will eventually be there.

Traditional pub with more than a hint of modern flair

The Howard pub in Hanover, Brighton, is a charming local spot that successfully merges the atmosphere of a traditional British pub with a touch of modern flair. Located in the backstreets of the hilly Hanover area, this pub offers a welcoming ambiance characterised by its rustic décor.

The Howard offers a secret garden alongside a games room perfect for networking with a difference or a corporate gathering.

One of The Howard’s standout features

is its food offering from classic British dishes, a traditional Sunday roast but also regular theme nights. For events, The Howard’s kitchen can be bespoke and accommodate a client’s requirementsfrom a traditional brunch meeting or an afternoon meeting with sharing platters.

I was fortunate enough whilst there to sample the vegetarian sharing board, garlic and chilli prawns, along with homemade hummus amongst lots of other delights.

Service at The Howard is typically friendly and accommodating, contributing to a pleasant experience

whether you’re there for a quick drink, a leisurely meal or a work event,

Overall, The Howard pub in Hanover offers a delightful combination of fantastic food, quality ales and a cosy atmosphere. It may not be the easiest pub to come across by chance in Brighton, but you will certainly return when you’ve experienced it.

With its own unique charm, it’s well worth a visit for those in the Hanover area or looking to try somewhere new.

www.thehowardbrighton.co.uk 1 Howard Rd Elm Grove, 01273 675356

This month’s Hospitality Hotspot visits The Howard pub.

Empower young creatives: BN1 Arts seeks help to continue free arts education

BN1 Arts, known as the “BRIT School of the South Coast”, is on a mission to provide creative arts training to all, empowering the next generation of artists.

Founded in 2023 by creative entrepreneur Mia Bird, BN1 Arts offers industryled courses for 16–19-year-olds in performing arts and music as well as an Arts Centre for the wider community running evening classes and initiatives focused on an inclusive and diverse nature. However, in the current financial landscape there are challenges and BN1 Arts is seeking support to ensure free, high-quality arts education.

Mia made her West End debut in 1995 in “Sunset Boulevard” and went on to play lead roles in numerous shows, plays and TV productions. She also

caught the attention of Universal Music which led her to become part of a multilabel songwriting network. Mia began pre-producing and writing songs and top lines for various artists, while also touring the UK with different bands and performing in major clubs both in the UK and abroad. Parallel to her performing career, Mia delved into business ventures and developed a strong interest in training and education.

With over 25 years of experience in founding creative academies across London and the UK, including more recently in Brighton including Bird Studios, BRICTT and the Institute for Contemporary Theatre, Mia opened BN1 Arts in response to cuts in

creative training in Brighton, seemingly doing the impossible and actualising a college for 100 happy young people in just 4 months.

Whilst achieving all this might be enough for some, it has been the starting point of a dynamic new campaign titled “KEEP CREATIVE ARTS EDUCATION FREE” which highlights how schools are struggling without essential support and financial backing, leaving creative subjects like music and performing arts at risk.

The high cost of crucial resources, from Mac suites to dance studios, has created a severe shortage of funds, threatening the core of creative arts

education. The absence of these subjects from mainstream education creates exclusivity, hindering talent development for families who can’t afford private lessons. This has led to a decline in the creative talent pipeline, impacting progression into higher education.

Despite financial constraints, Mia and the BN1 Arts team are committed to providing spaces for young creatives through extracurricular activities in music, dance, and performing arts as well as our industry-led diploma courses.

The campaign is backed by local MP Peter Kyle, (coming to a cabinet near you soon) as well as many powerful voices from the West End, the music industry and has recently received an Arts Council fund to put in to action a project called “Creative Roots” – particularly focusing on offering free classes in all areas of the arts for young people who can’t afford to attend more traditional routes as well as those who have been sadly let down by society and have dropped out of mainstream education.

BN1 Arts college courses for 16–19-year-olds are funded by the Department of Education and are therefore free at point of entry, however as Mia says: “The funding we receive from the Department for Education covers the basic costs of delivering our Diploma courses…

“But our students need so much more if they are to receive the best industry-led arts education we have to offer them.

“Many FE colleges have closed their courses due to these financial challenges. Some of our students have never experienced professional shows due to high ticket prices. The cost of producing industry standard shows and gigs and providing essential facilities, like drum rooms, sprung floor

dance studios and recording facilities is excruciating. With no government funding available for these activities and resources we have self-funded our college so far with bank loans and personal investment.

“We have a thriving industry, and we need to be able to feed it with talented young people.”

It is a common misconception that the arts are somehow of lesser importance than others, such as cyber (remember THAT advert?). However, by the government’s own estimates, the creative industries contribute around £126 billion to the UK economy. That’s more than the car industry, for instance, or aerospace, oil and gas.

Last year there were 3 million jobs in the creative and cultural industries and there could be more. The benefits of studying the creative arts include social skills, creative and innovative thinking, teamwork, self-confidence, and holistic and emotional development and many more.

As Rosie Butler C.O.O says: “The young people that currently attend BN1 Arts are certainly the lucky ones - they are supremely talented musicians, actors and performers. They are ambitious and study here. But what about the rest? What about the young people that don’t find their way to us?”

Mia is asking for financial support for the college, from local businesses and benefactors to enable the development of facilities, such as recording studios, talks and masterclasses from the industry, end-of-term shows and anything else that removes financial and practical barriers for students who want to attend BN1 Arts.

There are many ways to support Mia and her mission, please go to bn1arts. co.uk/supportus for more information, or email admissions@bn1arts.co.uk

Jade Goodwin - from go-kart queen to Fiesta motorsport icon

A career-charting story by the female motorsport ace who made a childhood dream a reality. Here, she writes about her inspiration and supporters.

Lifestyle

I developed an interest in racing at a noticeably early age and my love of motorsport began through my dad. Growing up, I was fascinated by the speed, precision and thrill of motorsport with F1 often on the TV. As a girl, I remember the hum of the engines every Sunday.

Dad was only allowed access to the TV if he did the ironing at the same time (Mum’s clever rule), myself in the washing basket he’d emptied, with a rolled-up tea towel for a pillow, knocking back a bottle of juice.

Years later, for my dad’s birthday, my brother would give him tickets to the BTCC race at Oulton Park. During this day, I got to walk through an actual race paddock, something I would later do

most weekends. The smell of rubber filled the air, the vibrations through my feet, a ripple of wind hit me, the lights went out and the cars disappeared into a low hum elsewhere on the circuit. I looked at my dad and he just smiled back at me knowingly. (He would never financially recover from this.)

My first taste of in-seat racing came from go-karting, a common entry point for many professional racers. On a shoestring budget, I started my racing career at 11 years old, visiting my local indoor kart track ‘Fast Lane Karting’ where I began to dominate the monthly championship and single-handedly killing the business as no grown man wanted to be beaten by a ‘little girl’. It soon became time to buy my own kart.

We hit the track, mostly for ‘fun’ days. Soon the track owner, Bob, noticed my

speed and recommended that I enter their ‘Indy’ kart series. On my first outdoor race, it began to rain. My dad lovingly in the past told me that the track was ‘closed’ when it rained so I had never driven in the wet before. In a rush, we brought wet tires - knowing zero about set up and engine changes - to race my first wet lap under race conditions. The race was extremely fun, although I did not have a wetsuit so, after each race, I was sat in a puddle, the water pushing its way under my helmet and up my nose. I finished second that day and I knew this would never end.

Struggling with my mental health due to being a victim of sexual assault in my early teens, my career motorsport has been my focus and rock. Motorsport is brutal and often competing as the only girl on circuit, it has not been easy. It is

the love and my passion which drives me through life and every tribulation.

I jumped into the F100 ‘Formula A’ series in a demo run. My kart was borrowed and built at the track that weekend. I went on to win the British Open Championship, taking the O from the dominant driver in the series - my greatest triumph to date. Winning that race sent a statement to the paddock and I still compete in the series today. This statement was received by my teammate, Simon Nicholson, whom to quote sais he “saw Jade do things in karts that he couldn’t believe” over the course of that season. Simon has 47 years of karting experience and was a huge aid with his wealth of knowledge and support both off and on track.

One evening before a race, we grabbed a team dinner as we often did, and I said that it was hard to see drivers I have beat now winning formula two races and making careers in motorsport due to finances. The theme of the evening was “why not me?” I did not know it then, but Simon began to produce a plan.

A few months later, I was stepping up to race the cars of my childhood dreams. My first day’s testing on a car circuit felt alien. I had raced karts and held my road licence for years but to finally take a car to the limit, and to drive on a long circuit, was a feeling I didn’t know I was missing until I

experienced it. I felt the meaning of the word equilibrium.

Simon was monumental in securing sponsorship and, without him, I would not be in this magazine, having the opportunity to have an episode on the Different Hats Podcast with Sam Thomas, be on the track or speaking at Best of British Events with Faye White.

Later, I was strapping into a Fiesta ST150 for my first race at Snetterton in the Vinyl Detail Challenge. Growing up watching racing my whole life, for it to be me I could not even fathom. Then came Silverstone GP and Oulton Park. The track that started it all, whilst still on novice plates, I finished p9 securing my first top ten finish in my third race.

Soon after this, I was approached by SBR Motorsport, the championship winning team, to sign with them for the 2024 season. Then followed by Silverstone National learning more. This season opened at Brands Hatch Indy. Following these two races, with a top ten start at the second-round croft, the season so far has been a tough one, with limited budget and extra costs in engine failure my testing program was unfulfilled due to race weekend costs with my season marked by unfortunate unavoidable contact and hitting oil.

I cannot thank my team, Simon, my father David and all my sponsors, Matt

from Optimize Web Trends and Paige Collins from Warren House Accountants who allowed me to drive her Fisher fury Hillclimb car with her as a passenger at Brands Hatch. Thanks also to Sam Thomas who gave me the opportunity to appear on his podcast, Different Hats, and this magazine! He also allowed me to scare him to death as my passenger at Goodwood circuit. Other thanks must go to Paul Addison from DevAssist, Eloise Jenner from Skerritt’s Wealth Management, Chris Flynn from Mars Jones Limited, Hayley Hubble from Coach and Consult, Ryan Heal from Best of British Events, and Driven Minds, who support mental health issues within the motorsport industry, who I am a proud ambassador for.

I am still looking for more sponsors to join this team, journey, and my story through the motorsport world. If this is something you feel would represent your company and own values, positive brand goals, association, awareness, exclusivity, and differentiation, you are welcome to get in contact and drive my career further and your own direct social impact.

Looking forward to pushing the limits and seeing how the rest of the Fiesta season goes!

Connect with me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ Jadegoodwinracing

From Cape Town to Hove (actually) - a life supporting start-ups and entrepreneurs

How business mentor Fiona Anderson is nurturing the next generation of womenowned businesses, thanks to her background in banking.

Fiona grew up in Cape Town, South Africa and spent her childhood mostly outdoors in the sunshine. She had a difficult childhood in a single parent home where money was tight. Born in Zimbabwe to Scottish parents ,Fiona grew up in Cape Town, South Africa with her mum, younger brother and strict Scottish granny from Glasgow.

Lifestyle

She moved to the UK in 2001 after her mother, relocated to Somerset in 2000. Arriving with no real plan, she eventually found her groove in Brighton, after initially living in South West London whilst working for Royal Bank of Scotland.

From an early age, she had to stand on her own 2 feet, being the eldest child in a single parent family, She learnt to always look after herself and quickly became very independent and self sufficient.

Her parents got divorced when she was 5 and her brother a baby.

Her gran lived with them and brought her and her brother up, as in South Africa there is no income support or child benefit, so her mother had to go and work.

Her father remarried and had nothing to do with the family from around the age of 9.

By that time she had become used to doing things for herself and had her

first job at the age of 15. She went on to do several jobs including working in a department store at weekends and school holidays, taking orders on the phone for a pizza delivery company, working on the cash desk at a pharmacy, and the inevitable waitressing job at the local steak house.

That didn’t last too long as she didn’t like people telling her what to do!!

By the time she left school, she didn’t know what she wanted to do, so went to do a diploma in Human Resource Management (but never utilised the diploma or worked in that sector), but part of the reason she wanted to do it, was to work with and help people, something that is at her core.

Her working life in South Africa was brief and spent as a Business and Finance manager for a VW dealership from 1997-2001, where she learnt about PCP contracts, maintenance plans and selling! She loves cars and has always a VW.

By the time she came to the UK in August 2001, most of her friends were here already. Her mum was living in Somerset, but Fiona preferred it in South West London and then Brighton. Opposite ends of the country, but Fiona loves living in Brighton (well Hove actually!) and is an integral part of the business community in wider Sussex.

Fiona began working for the Royal Bank of Scotland group in April 2002. She enjoyed a lucrative career with the bank, taking on many different roles until the end of 2017. Despite not considering herself a banker, Fiona acknowledges that her time at the bank provided numerous opportunities for personal and career growth, for which she is incredibly grateful.

The culmination of that career was the impactful work at the Entrepreneurial Spark powered by NatWest, Accelerator in Brighton. During her tenure from 2015 to 2017, Fiona collaborated with nearly 300 businesses, spanning from prerevenue idea stages to high-growth and scaling enterprises. A large number of these businesses are still active today and that makes her feel incredibly proud.

A huge part of her success is the incredible business community in Brighton and Sussex, which has enabled her to really grow as an individual. The support, care and inspiration is truly uplifting and unlike anywhere else in the country.

Over the past 8 years, since leaving Natwest, Fiona has worked in South Africa and the UK, supporting mainly women owned businesses on accelerator and innovation programmes.

With her strong background in finance, she is able to assist with accessing the right finance at the right stage of business and the process involved in preparing for that.

She has a lot of insight and experience in grants, investment and funding. She has expanded her knowledge of innovation and creativity and recently took an accreditation with Creative ID, a unique tool that enables individuals and teams unlock their potential through understanding creative styles and behaviours.

This tool can help teams really collaborate, innovate and inject fresh thinking into business processes. Teams become more cohesive and create a strong culture of creativity and sustainability.

As part of Fiona’s portfolio of work, she is now running workshops and programmes for teams looking to leverage more creativity and become truly innovative.

Sem, boost staff morale, work towards a

common goal and enhance productivity.

Fiona is now in the next chapter of her life, focusing mainly on helping others through mentoring, coaching and being a trustee for a womans’ charity called Wayfinder Women, which helps women from challenging backgrounds become more confident and take advantage of opportunities to enhance their lives.

She is a fantastic people person, well connected, and a key collaborator in assisting businesses with navigating entrepreneurial growth, accessing funding and finance, and fostering creativity in business owners and leaders. Her expertise and dedication have significantly contributed to the entrepreneurial landscape, fostering innovation and driving business success in the Sussex region.

The need to help people is something that is a core value and a calling of Fiona’spossibly something that comes from her past - helping others stand on their own two feet and thrive in the face of adversity.

Freeze and Share: affordable egg freezing with altruistic egg donation

By Carole Gilling-Smith, CEO and Medical Director of The Agora Clinic.

Lifestyle

In the journey of life, timing is often everything. For women considering preserving their fertility, the concept of timing becomes particularly crucial.

At Agora Clinic, we understand the financial barriers many confront when contemplating egg freezing. That’s why we’re proud to announce our innovative ‘Freeze and Share’ program – a solution designed to make egg freezing accessible while fostering altruism. In the modern era, many women are considering egg freezing to preserve their fertility and keep their options open for the future.

However, the high cost of egg freezing,

typically around £4,500 including drugs and the first year of storage, can be a significant barrier. At the Agora Clinic, we offer an innovative and altruistic solution: the ‘Freeze and Share’ program. This unique option not only makes egg freezing affordable but also gives women the opportunity to give others the chance to start a family.

What is egg freezing?

Egg freezing is a well-researched medical process that allows women to preserve their eggs, and the possibility of biological children in the future, at a time when they are most viable. The ideal age range for egg freezing is between 27 and 35 years old, often referred to as the ‘sweet spot’ due to

the higher quality and quantity of eggs typically produced during these years.

Egg freezing is a powerful tool for women who wish to delay pregnancy for whatever reason, medical or social, but a single egg freezing cycle can cost thousands of pounds (over £4.500). This price point can be a significant barrier for many women, particularly those in the optimal age range.

At the Agora Clinic, our ‘Freeze and Share’ program offers a unique alternative. By choosing to donate half of the eggs retrieved during the freeze cycle, the participant can waive the entire fee, making the procedure much more widely accessible whilst altruistically helping women who are struggling with their fertility.

The ‘Freeze and Share’ pathway

Step 1: Deciding if this is right for you The journey begins with a fertility MOT at Agora Clinic, where you will first have a blood test and scan of your ovaries before seeing one of our fertility consultants who will discuss the process, benefits, and implications of the ‘Freeze and Share’ program and review your medical history and fertility goals, along with your test results to see if you are eligible.

Step 2: Screening and Preparation If you meet the eligibility criteria, and you would like to go ahead, you will need to undergo genetic and sexual health screening to ensure you are suitable to donate. This is a legal requirement when donating genetic material (in your case eggs) to ensure the health and safety of both the recipient and future child conceived when your eggs are used in a donation program.

Step 3: Stimulating the ovaries Our protocols are designed to minimise any risks of side-effects or potential harm. Your consultant will prescribe a course of hormone injections to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. This phase lasts between 10-14 days and you will be closely monitored in one of our clinics (you can choose between Brighton, Eastbourne or Worthing) and have between 2 and 4 scan appointments.

Step 4: Collecting and freezing eggs

One of our consultants will review your scan and blood test results and when they feel your eggs are likely to be mature, we will arrange your egg collection. This is a minor outpatient surgical procedure performed under sedation. Half of your retrieved eggs will be frozen and stored for your future use, while the other half will be donated.

Step 5: After the egg collection, you will go through to our recovery room where our

nursing team will look after you until you are ready to go home. You will have to take this day off work and make sure someone can collect you and look after you once you are at home. Most people have very few side effects from the whole procedure and are fine to go back to normal activities, including work, the next day.

Eligibility

You can only be accepted onto the ‘Freeze and Share’ program if you are aged 35 or younger at the time of egg collection. This age limit ensures the highest quality of eggs for both the donor and the recipient, maximising the chances of successful pregnancies. You must also have a good egg reserve and you have no personal health issues or family history of conditions that could be passed on to a child.

What are the implications of donating eggs?

The ‘Freeze and Share’ program is a wonderful opportunity but requires careful consideration. The pros are financial savings, giving the gift of parenthood to another person or couple struggling with infertility and gaining more control over

your reproductive choices. The cons are the emotional implications of being an egg donor (for which we provide counselling), being identifiable to any future child conceived through your donation (as required by UK law), and the need to complete screening tests that might flag up some medical or genetic issues.

Success rates and future fertility

The success of egg freezing largely depends on the age at which the eggs are frozen. For women under 35, research shows the chances of a successful pregnancy from frozen eggs are significantly higher than in older women. There are no guarantees, but our consultants will guide you through the latest statistics regarding pregnancy outcomes from frozen eggs that would apply to you. At the Agora Clinic, we are committed to making fertility preservation more accessible and achievable and would invite you to get in touch, visit our website www.agoraclinic.co.uk or sign up for one of our free webinars if you want to find out more.

County Business Clubs’ Wine of the Month June 2024

The June pick is Smock Alley English Sparkling Brut Rose 2020.

We first reviewed Smock Alley last year and, I am pleased to say, that they continue to release excellent English sparkling wines.

Smock Alley is a co-operative vineyard in West Sussex, based at West Chiltington in West Sussex. It works with a group of volunteers who manage their own rows from the start of the pruning to the harvesting of the grapes.

Sarah, the owner, is very passionate with her wines and has created a great model for community based involvement for localised wine production. In her own words: “The combination of teamwork and passion for the vineyard and the product makes a very special wine.”

Chardonnay which they are often blended with.

Michael’s tasting notes for Smock Alley 2020

Sarah has also brought in the UK’s best wine maker, Dermot Sugrue, to assist. He was head winemaker at Nyetimber and Wistons and now runs Sugrue South Downs, which has been winner of Wine GB Boutique Wine Producer for the last three years running. The vineyard also works with Wiston Estate for bottling and shows how collaboration and partnering can work across the wine industry to assist smaller producers in bringing top quality wines to market.

This month’s review is of Smock Alley’s Rose 2020, a blend of both Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Red grapes provide more fruit characteristics than

Light on the nose, you get a hint of red berries, strawberry jam and cranberry.

On the palate we have fine bubbles, lots of berries, with a lovely balanced acidity and refreshing citrus in the background. It is the perfect wine to have with friends or family in the sun and is dangerously quaffable. It works well straight out of the fridge and is very refreshing. I would suggest having at least two bottles in stock as a glass each may not be enough! For food pairing - I would recommend serving this with a dressed crab and mixed salad with balsamic dressinga lovely match.

This wine retails at £27 a bottle and is limited. It can be purchased directly from the vineyard. Be quick as in 2020 the harvest was challenging due to a late May frost which limited the amount of grapes for this vintage. See the following link for more details; https:// www.southlandsvalleywines.com/ how-to-buy/

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 based at Bolney.

12pm Friday 27 t h September 2024

Join us at England's only five-star seaside hotel, The Grand in Eastbourne, with our Guest Speaker, BBC and ITV broadcasting royalty,

JOHN INVERDALE