Dynamic Magazine #1 - The Business Magazine for Women

E DUC AT ION

THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR WOMEN

SPIRIT OF THE SEASIDE The Brighton Gin story

Nov | Dec 2019 #1

Why we need genuine flexible working TR AVEL FASH ION MOTOR I NG HE ALTH

MICHELLE MONE OBE

1

MY FIGHT TO THE TOP

27 & 28 NOV 2019 ExCeL LONDON

ND

BUSINESS SHOW2019

THE

42

Take Your Business to The Next Level EUROPE’S LARGEST BUSINESS EVENT

Register for your Free Ticket!

Call 01872 218 004 or visit gbbs.co.uk

300

Seminars

20,000 Visitors

400

Exhibitors

#TBSUK

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with Baroness Mone of Mayfair OBE

18

cont ent s WELCOME 6 THE DYNAMIC TEAM 8 THE DYNAMIC STEERING COMMITTEE 9 CHAIR OF THE DYNAMIC STEERING COMMITTEE Rosemary French OBE

DYNAMIC INTERVIEWS 12 THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASIDE

Kathy Caton, founder of Brighton Gin

16 MY FIGHT TO THE TOP

Baroness Mone of Mayfair OBE

22 A SEISMIC SHIFT

Victoria Kerton, Regional Director at NatWest

52 STREETS AHEAD

Penny Streeter, owner of Mannings Heath Golf and Wine Estate

70 WHAT I HAVE LEARNT

Aneela Rose from Rose Media Group

74 ORDER OF THE FRENCH EMPIRE Rosemary French OBE, the Chair of Dynamic’s Steering Committee

DYNAMIC TECH 29 REACH FOR THE CLOUDS 32 UNCONSCIOUSLY BIASED? DYNAMIC FINANCE 34 ARE WOMEN MISSING OUT ON BILLIONS? 38 FINANCIAL FREEDOM 40 STEPS TO FINANCIAL GROWTH 44 DO YOU NEED A FINANCIAL ADVISOR? 46 SUPPORTING WOMEN IN BUSINESS

3

FLEXIBLE WORKING 55 DYNAMIC CAMPAIGN

Genuine flexible working

98

64 DYNAMIC MANIFESTO

Maarten Hoffmann, CEO of The Platinum Group launches the Dynamic Manifesto

DYNAMIC HEALTH 78 HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY 80 ELECTRO MUSCLE STIMULATION 84 THE BENEFITS OF SELF CARE 86 WORKPLACE WELLBEING 88 THE POWER OF WELLNESS 91 TIPS ON REDUCING ALCOHOL EDUCATION 94 BRINGING THE KIDS TO WORK 96 SCHOOL’S OUT FOR SEXISM DYNAMIC TRAVEL 98 DESTINATION: HOTEL METROPOLE MONTE-CARLO 100 TAILOR-MADE TRAVEL EXPERTS 102 TRAVEL NEWS DYNAMIC FASHION 104 THE NEW WAY TO DO WORKWEAR DYNAMIC MOTORING 108 GIRL TORQUE INSPIRING WOMEN 114 MY INSPIRATION

22 108

12

Abigail Owen, Corporate Partner at DMH Stallard

5

welcome Welcome to the launch edition of Dynamic the business magazine for women, written (mostly) by women.

We have been working on this publication for the best part of two years in an effort to redress the balance within the publishing world. There are lots of women’s magazines out there but, in the main, they seem to be concerned with make-up, hair, fashion and who is doing who on Love Island.

This surely cannot be the sole interest of women and certainly none of the women we know.

As the publishers of this august title are men, although the team are almost exclusively women, we decided to gather together a steering committee of high achieving women to decide on the tone and content. It was an eye-opening meeting as we were told in no uncertain terms what business women want to read about and we are nothing if not obedient.

6

We want Dynamic to be inspiring, empowering and highly informative and we lay awake at night hoping we have hit the spot.

Women in business are achieving more than ever before and this is in spite of fact the slow pace of gender equality. Although there are still a few male dinosaurs that feel that a women’s place is in the home and a few high achieving women who have pulled the ladder up behind them, a new dawn beckons.

Where would the world be without you?

Is there a place for such a women’s magazine? Sadly yes, as there is still a gender pay gap and gender bias still exists - there are more men in the FTSE 500 called Dave than all the women put together.

101 years ago women won the right to vote – earlier than any other country in the world because British women refused to put up with this injustice any longer and many gave their lives for the cause. Over a century later we still do not have gender parity and we will not wait another century.

Any form of gender inequality must stop NOW and Dynamic is here to ensure the pressure remains on the establishment and corporate world, not only because it is right and fair but because the business world needs women.

And our final message to men - help bring about gender equality, get out of the way or get run over - the girls are coming and there ain’t a thing you can do about it.

We sincerely hope you enjoy this first issue and if there is anything you feel we have missed or that we have not covered, get in touch. This is YOUR magazine so get involved. Contact dynamic@ platinumpublishing.co.uk The Dynamic Team

Contacts PUBLISHER: maarten@platinumpublishing.co.uk EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: ian@platinumpublishing.co.uk SALES DIRECTOR: lesley@platinumpublishing.co.uk SALES MANAGER: nicole@platinumpublishing.co.uk SALES MANAGER: danielle@platinumpublishing.co.uk EVENTS DIRECTOR: fiona@platinumpublishing.co.uk FEATURES EDITOR: kate@platinumpublishing.co.uk EVENTS MANAGER: lydia@platinumpublishing.co.uk HEAD OF DESIGN: michelle@platinumpublishing.co.uk

WWW.PLATINUMPUBLISHING.CO.UK DISCLAIMER All rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions relating to advertising or editorial. The publisher reserves the right to change or amend any competitions or prizes offered. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from the publisher. No responsibility is taken for unsolicited materials or the return of these materials whilst in transit.

Dynamic Magazine is owned and published by The Platinum Media Group.

7

MEET THE STEERING COMMITTEE Many thanks to the members of the steering committee, who have helped create the first edition of Dynamic

ABIGAIL OWEN Corporate Partner DMH Stallard

EMMA LANE Director Allied Irish Bank

FAIZA SHAFEEK CEO Carrot Events

JULIE KAPSALIS CEO Chichester / Crawley College Group

8

ALISON ADDY Community Officer Gatwick Airport

MAXINE REID Partner Quantuma

ALISON JONES Partner Kreston Reeves

FIONA GRAVES Events Director The Platinum Group

LESLEY ALCOCK Commerical Director The Platinum Group

ANA CHRISTIE CEO Sussex Chamber of Commerce

FIONA SHAFER CEO MD HUB

LOUISE PUNTER CEO Surrey Chamber of Commerce

ROSEMARY FRENCH OBE VICTORIA KERTON Executive Director Regional Director Gatwick Diamond NatWest Initiative

IAN TREVETT Editorial Director The Platinum Group

MAARTEN HOFFMANN CEO/Publisher The Platinum Group

ZOE RUDLING Partner RSM

welcome FROM ROSEMARY FRENCH OBE Chair of the Dynamic Steering Committee

On behalf of the steering committee, we are delighted to introduce you to this new magazine for women at all stages of business, from thinking of starting a business through to running an established company – and at all levels of employment from apprentice and graduate through to Managing Director.

We aim not to be patronising or condescending and we do admit we would rather not have had to launch this magazine! But there is no equivalent in the market during this unpleasant era of ‘Me Too’ and other scandals, which place women in a very different box to the men with whom we collaborate, but also compete for those higher level jobs.

This inaugural issue looks at the horrendous cost and availability of childcare, which is preventing thousands of new parents returning to work and has a detrimental effect on the productivity of the UK. We want to hear female views and to discuss the issues, challenges and barriers that still exist – and, hopefully, Dynamic will go some way to meet this need.

If we are not getting it quite right, we are sure you will let us know. And if you have any topics you would like explored in future issues get in touch.

We positively encourage you to do so! info@platinum publishing.co.uk

9

N E WS

GET MORE FLEX

One in three requests for flexible working are being turned down, according to a new TUC poll. The survey shows that flexi-time is unavailable to 58% of the UK workforce whilst 28% of workers say their desire for more flexi-hours is one of the main reasons they might look for a new job.

The Flex for All campaign has launched a petition to change the law so that flexible working is open to all workers from day one. Pregnant then Screwed, Fawcett Society, Mother Pukka, the Young Women’s Trust and the Fatherhood Institute have all joined the campaign.

{up f r o n t } All the latest bulletins from the world of business

Lack of growth in science careers The number of women climbing the career ladder in science is “disappointingly low”, say researchers. Women make up half of students in the life sciences, but only one in four professors, according to data from 500 scientific institutions worldwide. It found women had fewer chances to serve on committees or speak at scientific meetings whilst other factors included tensions with work-life balance, poor funding and pay, and a lack of networking opportunities.

10

 20%

OF SEATS ON CORPORATE BOARD America’s largest companies are powered by more women than ever before. According to The Wall Street Journal, women hold 20% of seats on corporate boards for publicly traded companies.

The figure represents a jump from 2016 when women held 15% of corporate board seats, a figures citied from data firm Equilar.

California might have something to do with this shift. Last year, the state required its companies to have at least one woman on their board of directors by the end of 2019, and at least two by the end of 2021.

N E WS

Money Makers Researchers have found that investors are more likely to bet that a company’s stock price will increase if it had more women on staff than average. The findings taken from a study by Stanford University, Northwestern University, Dartmouth College and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, suggest that investors see value in gender diversity and that companies that hire more women could see their stock prices rise.

PENSION OUTRAGE The high court has ruled that almost 4 million women born in the 1950’s will not be compensated for the money they lost when the pension age was raised from 60 to 65. In a judgment dismissing the claim on all grounds, including age discrimination, sex discrimination and lack of notice, they said: “The wider issues raised by the claimants about whether the choices were right or wrong, or good or bad, were not for the court. They were for members of the public and their elected representatives.”

This fight will continue as the ridiculous fact is that the government has a duty to tell women the TV licence is being withdrawn but no obligation to tell them their pension had changed. Most women only found out about this when they applied to draw it.

14%

MORE MALES LIKELY TO QUIT Female entrepreneurs are less likely to give up on their business than men, according to a new academic study. In analysis carried out by Muntasir Alam and Dr Dilani Jayawarna of the University of Liverpool Management School, male company owners are 14% more likely to quit the firm they set up whilst women stayed longer at the helm of their startups despite making less money than their male counterparts.

MALE ARTISTS DOMINATE ART WORLD

The art world remains overwhelmingly male-dominated with just 2% of global art auction spending on work by women, according to a report by In Other Words & artnet News. The study looked at 26 US art museums and institutions as well as an analysis of the global art market between 2008 and 2018. The report found that out of the total number of art acquisitions for permanent collections, only 11% were by women while just 14% of exhibitions were either from solo or groups of female artists.

Billion dollar ladies Fort Mason Games - the female-led mobile gaming company - has announced that their newest game, Lucky Scratch, is available in the UK. Lucky Scratch is disrupting the multi-billion dollar lottery industry by giving players a free, ad-supported alternative to the lotto with real cash prizes.

“While we make games to delight everyone, we pay particular attention to making games that women will love,” said Kate Gorman, Fort Mason Founder and CEO, and 2019 winner of ‘Forbes 30 Under 30’ in Gaming.

11

“We wanted to make a proper gin lovers’ gin”

12

DY NA M IC

I N T E RV I E W

THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASIDE There’s a gin revival happening. Kate Morton meets Kathy Caton, the woman behind the award-winning Brighton Gin, and finds out why she developed her thirst for the spirit world

It helps that when you meet the founder of one of the industry’s most exciting gins, that it’s also your favourite tipple of choice.

I met Kathy Caton, founder of Brighton Gin, at its headquarters and distillery on a sunny day in Brighton… of course.

Kathy is everything I expected.

She’s smart, she’s fun and she’s focussed. She exudes a playful charm that’s hard not to like. We chat over tea and biscuits, surrounded by bottles of glistening crystal clear gin with aromatics filling the air. Josh, one of Brighton Gin’s distillers, stands behind me next to the distillery’s one and only still, meticulously picking through

sacks of fragrant goodies, including fresh oranges and herbs, whilst Production Manager, Jude, aka Kathy’s mum, waxes bottles calmly and methodically in their signature teal colour, inspired by Brighton seafront’s iconic railings.

Having taken the artisan gin world on single-handedly, businesswoman and master distiller Kathy is still as humble as the city in which she lives. “It started off as a hobby. I’ve always loved gin; it’s the one drink that will never give me a hangover.

You can drink it with friends until the early hours and still get up the next day without a headache.

And if you’ve ever had a hangover

headache, you’ll know the one I mean.”

Kathy’s moment of clarity happened in 2011. “I went out for a morning run along Brighton seafront following a night of gindrinking with friends – I knew that if I’d been drinking whisky or wine, I wouldn’t have been running! It was then that I had my lightbulb moment. Brighton needed its own gin! After all, gin is the one drink that lets you get away with it and Brighton is the place that gets away with it on a frequent basis!”

13

DY NA M IC

I N T E RV I E W

She continues: “At the time, craft-brewing was taking off and micro-distilleries such as Sipsmith and Sacred Spirits were all showing that small-batch distilling was having a moment and I realised Brighton needed its own version.

“Like craft beer, new-wave gin was beginning to appeal to a younger generation of drinkers, who craved quality and authenticity in their booze. I was realising that gin was a totally non-gendered drink too, and that more and more consumers were young guys at university, for example. Something exciting was happening and it was because of this and my own love for gin that I started on my quest to quell the old adage, ‘mother’s ruin’”.

With a background in drama and broadcasting, Kathy attended drama school before starting her career in radio working for BBC Radio 4 as schedule manager on Women’s Hour, and as script consultant for The Archers – a role which she still maintains. A few years later, having decided to

14

move to Brighton, Kathy took her first job as resident DJ on Brighton Palace Pier, before finding work at BBC Sussex and Surrey, and RadioReverb, Brighton’s local notfor-profit radio station.

Determined as she is courageous – her first line in her school book read “I want to be the first woman on Mars” - Kathy has never been afraid of ambition and her success has always been likely, after all her great grandfather set up a distillery in his garage, producing whisky for his own consumption, hiding parts of the still underneath his mushroom bed.

So with distilling possibly already in her genes, how was Brighton Gin born? “I started working on the concept of Brighton Gin round my kitchen table in 2011.

I told a few friends about my idea and they laughed, declaring; ‘if anyone was going to do it, it would be you’. It was those friends, one a laser physicist, that stayed up with me throughout the night, recipe tasting and experimenting in one small copper still on the kitchen stove.”

Caton continues: “Originally we wanted loads of different ingredients and distilled each botanical individually so that we could find out their individual

characters and tastes. It was trial and error. For example, we realised that dried orange peel actually tasted quite woody, so we started to use fresh citrus peel instead.

There is actually a science behind distilled spirits, the purer they are, the less of a hangover. The distillation process strips away any nasties and if gin needs to have a fairly high price tag, it’s got to have the quality.”

“Just over 18 months later, we made our first batch of 400. We launched a week before Christmas, and vowed we would never do that again,” she laughs. “We thought the first batch would last us until spring the following year but we sold out that first week! We wanted to make a proper gin lover’s gin and I think we achieved that.”

And they certainly have. Kathy and her team have been in their current seaside industrial space, the biggest so far, for three years

E DUC AT ION L to R: Josh Harper (Distiller and events), Ellie Dobing (Chief Gin Peddlar), Paul Revell (Distiller and former ballet dancer), Kathy Caton (Founder), Rachel Blake (Gin Peddlar and Events Assistant), Charly Thieme (Operations Manager), Jude White (Production Manager).

now and produce around 30,000 bottles a year - approximately 5% of those are exported with the aim of doubling that figure in 2020.

Each batch of gin contains 100% organic grain (a key to dodging the musty head), fresh orange and lime peel, juniper - hand harvested in Macedonia - angelica and coriander seeds.

“Brighton Gin is 100% vegan and we want to be the world’s first carbon neutral gin,” says Kathy.

And sustainable and green spirited they are. The bottles are sourced locally from the last British bottle manufacturer using 40% recycled glass from the South Coast; their signature wax is supplied by The British Wax Refinery in Redhill; their labels are designed locally in the shape of a fairground ticket and affixed by hand using vegan glue; whilst all the mash from the still is recycled for compost. They even fill and wax each bottle by hand - a

“There is actually a science behind distilled spirits, the purer they are, the less of a hangover”

particularly precise process which undoubtedly shapes its handmade in Brighton status. You may even see one of their gin bikes out and about, delivering locally and sustainably wherever possible.

“British gin is the best in the world but it’s also important to drink with a clear conscience whilst also having fun,” Kathy explains.

And it’s this playful exuberance that has brought a second gin to the family. Seaside Strength 57% Navy Gin is the perfect accompaniment to the original Brighton Gin Pavilion Strength.

It has an exhilarating freshness which is perfect as a base for cocktails. “Our Seaside Strength makes the perfect Negroni, stirred and poured over ice. Or serve it with tonic and a sprig of mint with the juice of a lime, that’s a favourite of Jude’s.”

And Kathy’s? “Brighton Gin with lots of ice, a light tonic and a slice of orange to bring out the flavours of the botanicals. Or neat on the rocks, sipped slowly, that’s perfection for me.”

Brighton Gin is certainly a reflection of its founder, versatile, charming and approachable and the world’s renewed love affair with gin is certainly not slowing down. Cheers to that!

15

E DUC AT ION

16

COV E R

STORY

My Fight to the Top How Baroness Mone of Mayfair OBE made it from Glasgows’ East End to a member of the House of Lords.INTERVIEW BY IAN TREVETT Now one of the UK’s most successful female entrepreneurs and innovators, a life peer and an inspiration to many aspiring businesswomen, Baroness Mone of Mayfair OBE has never had success handed on a plate.

Tellingly, her autobiography was entitled ‘My Fight to the Top”. She has overcome overwhelming obstacles and often faced unprovoked and vitriolic criticism, which in the UK seems to be reserved for people who show any ambition. But she has battled on throughout, drawing on the inspiration of her family and the experiences of her childhood living in the East End of Glasgow.

17

COV E R

STORY

When Michelle Mone attended a dinner dance in 1996, she could never have dreamt that she would one day create an international brand adorned by supermodels, become a Baroness or be awarded an OBE for outstanding contribution to business.

Instead, she was preoccupied by the fact the cleavageenhancing bra she had chosen to wear that evening was so damn uncomfortable. Surely, she thought, I can design a bra better than this.

We all find niggles in our daily lives but very few of us actually do anything about it.

Michelle is different. She read about a revolutionary new silicone product whilst on holiday on Florida, contacted the company and won the European licence to use the product to pad uplifting bras. When Michelle declared she was going to design a revolutionary new bra, the response was mostly sceptical: “When I presented my ideas, all I got was ‘No you can’t. You can’t have straps this size. The cups can’t be this size.’ Not good enough.

If you have an idea that you’re passionate about you can’t give up.”

The bra company she built, Ultimo, became a global hit, and the success can

be attributed to several reasons.

Firstly Michelle is a very talented designer, who created a product women actually wanted to wear.

Secondly, she is a supreme marketer. She proudly boasts, “We got £1 billion worth of publicity without spending a penny.”

The Observer’s Carole Cadwalladr noted back in 2010: “There’s never been any acknowledgement of Mone’s most brilliant insight. Which is this: take photos of celebrities in their underwear, and newspapers will print them.

“It’s genius. Every six months or so, Mone gives them a new celebrity: Penny Lancaster, Rachel Hunter, Helena Christensen, Mel B, Kelly Brook, Peaches Geldof, posing in a pair of knickers

Right: Michelle on a publicity shoot with British Airways

An Ultimo PR event attracting a typically huge press coverage

18

and bra, and buys herself priceless free advertising.”

Then Michelle befriended Hollywood stylists and bombarded them with her bras, and it paid off. When Julia Roberts put in an Oscar-winning performance in Erin Brockovich, people wanted to know what she was wearing to get such an impressive cleavage.

Of course, it was an Ultimo bra. The third, and most important, reason is Michelle’s burning drive and determination. “I have never had doubts about anything I ever do,” says Michelle. “To be in business there are a few things you have to have. You never give up. You work the hardest you can work. You play the hardest you can play. You give something back.

And you have attention to detail. If you tell me something, and we meet years later I will remember.

“I got my determination from growing up in Glasgow’s East End. There was no way other than working hard. My granddad had three jobs, my great grandad the same, my dad had a few jobs, my mum had three jobs.”

Lack of qualifications was no barrier for Michelle – she managed to get a job with Labatt Brewing Company.

Within two years she was the

company’s Head of Marketing for Scotland. Typically, she attributes her promotion to sheer hard work.

From humble beginnings, Ultimo’s success meant that Michelle Mone became one of the best known businesswomen across the globe. They were heady days, but the Ultimo journey took its toll. The workload was relentless. The story goes that she went into labour with her third child during a board meeting and resumed the meeting four days later.

When Michelle looks back, the memories are bitter-sweet: “Some people think I make it up when I talk about what went on there. We were up against the biggest brands in the world and I was working with my ex-husband.

There were lots of amazing times but there were also dark, lonely, horrible and depressing times.

“I was really depressed when I sold Ultimo, my baby, in 2014 and I still miss it to this

day, but I had had enough of it. The business had really affected me and I had battles with my fitness and my weight.

“I worried so much, but it was the worry that drove me to get out of bed in the morning and make things happen. Most nights I slept less than five hours, as I’d be looking after the Australian and American business, there my kids were running around in the background. It was the fear in me that made me who I am now today. I’d have the fear when the banks were calling in. The business almost ruined my life and it sucked me in.”

Now I am calm and I don’t feel I have anything to prove, other than being a loving partner to my future husband Doug and looking after my mum, dad and my kids. I feel privileged that all the work has finally paid off and I can enjoy life.”

One of the highlights of the Ultimo adventure was the

relationship Michelle built up with Prince Charles. Michelle received a £5,000 grant from the Princes Trust when she was 24, an investment which was so important at the time.

The Princes Trust has been close to her heart ever since.

Michelle reveals that Prince Charles has watched her grow and sell the business. She later joined the board for 12 years and says, “I always loved meeting him as we always have a laugh. By coincidence, my husband-to-be Doug Barrowman is also a longterm supporter. In fact, he has just given the Princes Trust quite a big donation to open up a centre in Manchester.

He was working with them before we met.”

Her passion for mentoring and helping new entrepreneurs led to the award of her OBE in 2010,

19

ALL PICTURES: MICHELLEMONE.COM

20

and in 2016 the government appointed her as a Tsar to carry out a review into how best to encourage start-ups in areas of high unemployment.

In 2015 she became The Right Honourable Baroness Mone, OBE. She is the first to admit she does not attend every debate: “I go there for all the serious debates. I won’t be full-time as a Baroness until I retire, but I made this very clear from the outset. I am still an entrepreneur.

I get the opportunity to campaign on things I am passionate about such as women’s issues, healthy eating and business matters.”

Her attendance record has prompted criticisms but this is water off a duck’s back for Michelle. The amount of flak she has attracted is hard to fathom. She has been accused of selling out her background and the trolls have often criticised her appearance. She campaigned for Scotland to stay in the United Kingdom which prompted accusations of betrayal. She angered some

when she switched religion to marry her first husband.

Earlier this year, when her daughter featured in a programme called Born Famous, where she sampled life in the same East End district where her mum grew up, it was vilified as ‘Poverty Porn’ before it even aired (it was actually uplifting TV).

It is a British disease where a ‘rags to riches’ story featuring a woman who makes it in business is seen worthy of brickbats rather than plaudits.

Michelle sighs, “I am used to criticism, but I don’t understand it. You wouldn’t get this in America. I’m no beauty queen, and I have plenty of issues about my looks, but when you are slightly glamorous you are going to get more attention, good or bad, than other people.

“I was one of the main people heading up the campaign to keep the union together in the independence referendum. They say when you get involved in politics, football or religion, you are going to get slaughtered, and oh my god, have I been slaughtered.

“The more criticism I get,

Above left: Michelle receiving the OBE Above: With Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall

the stronger and more determined I become. They crash me to the ground and I get up, dust myself down and I’ll fly even higher than I flew before. I have rhino skin now!

“As long as your family and your friends know who you are as a person, then it doesn’t matter what strangers think of you. I say you’re the saddo, not me!

“I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I don’t criticise those who have been - after all, that will be my kids now! I couldn’t believe the amount of criticism and hurt my daughter Bethany, who is just 19, went through because of these idiots who give their

I am used to criticism, but I don’t understand it.

You wouldn’t get this in America. opinion before they get the facts. It shows how stupid they are.

“Born Famous is an excellent show. It promotes where I was brought up and shows how amazing the people are. They are hardworking, great down to earth people who have a dream and it’s about how we can help fulfil their dreams.

The last thing I will ever do in my whole life is embarrass the people from the East End of Glasgow. I am so proud of where I am from. How dare they!”

COV E R

STORY

What’s next?

Michelle works on businesses in a wide range of sectors.

Her QVC business is the number one designer jewellery collection on the channel and it turns over tens of millions. She is launching a blockchain venture capital company in partnership with Steve Wozniak, the co-founder of Apple. She sits on boards of tech companies, speaks at events across the world and is a Parliamentarian.

And, going back to where it all began, she has a new bra invention: “I can’t reveal too much at this time but my innovation should change every woman’s bra around the world. I am so frustrated that the industry hasn’t moved on and innovated. If this comes off it will be phenomenal. I have not been able to do this until recently as my contract with the Ultimo sale included

four years in which I cannot work in the industry.”

More than anything she is having fun: “I had no time off when I was young. Now I am very busy but I make sure I enjoy what I am doing. And I am getting married. Doug and I are both entrepreneurs; we think in the same way.

We both understand each other and I never thought I would have that. I certainly didn’t expect to find another entrepreneur who I could connect with, especially one who is also from Glasgow!

“We want to give back to others and to mentor entrepreneurs. My personal life comes first now, I want an amazing life for me and Doug and an incredible wedding.”

After the years of struggle, this is the least that Michelle deserves.

The Michelle Mone for Diamonique range has generated impressive sales on QVC

21

A SEISMIC SHIFT

22

DY NA M IC

I N T E RV I E W

Victoria Kerton, Regional Director (London, West Surrey and Sussex) at NatWest, has witnessed a huge culture shift throughout her 25 years in the banking sector.

When the Government commissioned an indepth review into female entrepreneurship and the barriers women face in business, it turned to Alison Rose at NatWest lead the review. The Exchequer Secretary recognised the bank is leading the way in equality of opportunity, and since then Alison Rose has been appointed as the first female chief executive of one of Britain’s big four banks.

Victoria Kerton is another female success

story to be found within the bank’s senior ranks. The ambitious Australian had moved across the world in 1998 to seek out her first City job, and is now NatWest’s Regional Director for the key market of London, West Surrey and Sussex. In an exclusive interview with Dynamic, she describes the culture change in the banking sector the world over as a ‘seismic shift’…

23

DY NA M IC

24

I N T E RV I E W

Many women worry that when they go on maternity leave, they will miss out on the changes that happen in the workplace.

When Victoria Kerton returned to work, the banking sector had undergone a radical change from the environment she had said goodbye to just a year before. By a twist of fate, she was away from work just when the world’s banks were hit by the dramatic financial crisis of 2008.

Victoria recalls: “I went on maternity leave in early 2008. It was a complete change in tone when I returned. The approach was much more cautious and focussed on sustainable growth.

Now there is much greater balance.”

The change in banking has not been limited to lending policies, and there has been a visible shift from employers to focus on flexible and agile working, and the cultivation of more diverse and inclusive workforces.

Victoria is grateful for these changes, and is particularly enthusiastic about the ways in which NatWest has helped women like her to climb the career ladder within the bank, as well its focus on helping its female customers to succeed at their own businesses.

“We have always prioritised support for our female business customers and the best example of that is our Women in Business accreditation programme. We have around 500 staff who have gone through the accreditation process with a detailed understanding of the different challenges that female business owners face, as well as the ways in which they might think and choose to run their businesses. Women are still much less likely than men to start their own business, so we realised this type of specialist support is crucial for encouraging female

entrepreneurs to take the leap and succeed.

“It is also about motivation.

Our Global Entrepreneurship Monitor survey found that women are nearly twice as likely than men to start a business with the intention of doing something that makes a difference to society.

So the definition of success is not just about money; it’s about creating the right eco-systems and the partnership networks.

We aim to provide the right products which work for women in the context of their day-today lives, for example solutions that work around primary care responsibilities.”

I would have given up without the support of my mentors THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTORING

Victoria studied economics and finance at her home town university in Sydney with the ambition of becoming a doctor or an investment banker. After two years experience since joining as a graduate for a major Australian bank, she took the plunge and booked a one-way flight to London. Her timing was immaculate.

Looking back, Victoria remembers, “At the beginning of 1998, London was incredibly exciting and vibrant. There was a great surge in banking and its relevance on the global economy. There were many opportunities, which meant you had more chance to choose a role and be well positioned for the type of career you wanted. I found a really interesting position at a small English investment bank, which

helped to immerse me in London life, but I still had the ambition to join a US investment bank, so I left to take up a role with JP Morgan.

“At JPMorgan, I refined my banking skills and learnt how to thrive and survive in a large organisation that was incredibly dynamic and global. It was very demanding but I was the right age and I was prepared to do it.

“Crucially, I had access to a number of senior women who became incredible role models.

I didn’t necessarily work with them on a day-to-day basis, but I could ask them questions at breakfast meetings or networking events. They would recount

DY NA M IC their experiences and some of the things they had been through and how they overcame challenges.

“I would have given up without their support.”

LEARNING TO THRIVE

The advice from her experienced mentors gave Victoria the inspiration to advance her career and in 2003 she applied for the post of Relationship Director in the financial institutions business at NatWest. Victoria now had full ownership and accountability of a portfolio of clients in London and North America. She enjoyed the work, but the City of London wasn’t always the easiest

environment for an ambitious woman.

“I had the mentality to thrive, but for a short while I felt I had to fit the mould of a traditional banker.

“Once I gained a bit more confidence, I decided I could be myself. I switched from wearing suits to dresses which was a symbolic, but important, change.

I wanted to succeed on my own terms.”

In March 2019, HM Treasury released the Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship. The review looked into the barriers facing female entrepreneurs and outlined a number of recommendations to help boost

I N T E RV I E W

female start-up and scale-up rates.

According to the report, implementing the recommendations could contribute an additional £250 billion to the UK economy – equivalent to around four years of economic growth.

Victoria says: “NatWest is very focussed on fairness and on getting the right person for the job. We make sure we have people with different backgrounds involved in the decision-making.

“There is still so much to do in terms of gender equality in workplaces generally, but I feel like I’m in the right place and at the right point in my career to help drive that change.”

25

SURREY BUY TICKETS THURSDAY 21ST NOVEMBER 2019

EPSOM DOWNS

RACECOURSE Around 400 of the county’s leading businesspeople, judges and VIPs are attending, giving guests the perfect opportunity to network with peers, celebrate with colleagues and find out those all-important results!

TICKETS COST £90 EACH OR £850 FOR A TABLE OF 10

AND INCLUDE A SPARKLING DRINKS RECEPTION, THREE-COURSE MEAL AND WINE ON EACH TABLE.

SPONSORED BY

Training the World’s Best Managers

BUY TICKETS ONLINE www.surreybusinessawards.com

DY NA M IC

L E A DE R S

CONGRATULATIONS The news broke recently that RBS/NatWest has its first ever female CEO, and the first ever female CEO of any of the big four banks.

Alison Rose started work with RBS on the NatWest graduate scheme in 1992 and rapidly rose through the ranks to become Deputy CEO of NatWest Holdings and CEO of Commercial and Private Banking.

Alison will take over the top job from Ross McEwan on November 1st. Alison beat other candidates, thought to include HSBC’s UK head, Ian Stuart, the Whitbread chief executive, Alison Brittain – who used to run Lloyds’ retail bank - and the RBS chief operating officer, Mark Bailie.

She will have quite a task on her hands dealing with a range of legacy problems such as poor treatment of struggling businesses during the financial crises by its global restructuring group, choppy economic waters ahead and guiding the bank back to private ownership, therefore divesting itself of the 62% stake still owned by the taxpayers. Alison commented: “Our industry is facing a series of challenges: from the ongoing economic and political uncertainty to shifts in the behaviour and expectations of our customers, driven by rapid advances in technology. It will be my priority to make sure we are ready to meet these challenges and build the best bank for families, businesses and communities.

We will be driven with real purpose in our work to help achieve the goals and potential of our customers and be there for them at key moments in their lives.”

Before Rose’s appointment the most senior woman in British banking was Ana Botin, who ran Santander’s UK business from 2010 to 2014. Jayne-Anne Gadhia

also ran Virgin Money from 2017 until the business was bought by CYBG, the owner of Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks, last year.

This appointment takes the number of female FTSE 100 Chief Executives back to six from five after Véronique Laury leaves Kingfisher next week. There were seven women bosses in the FTSE 100 until Direct Line, run by Penny James, was demoted from the index this month.

Dynamic is delighted that our largest bank has a female CEO and equally delighted to announce that Alison will be our major cover story in the second issue with an exclusive Dynamic interview.

27

DY NA M IC

STATS

Today, more than two-thirds of women aged 16–64 are employed, the highest percentage since the ONS began recording this data in 1971.

Office for National Statistics, 2019

{at a g l a n c e } Women in the Workplace | Facts and stats

75,000

40%

RETAIL POSTS HELD BY WOMEN HAVE GONE as online shopping rises, according to research by the Royal Society For the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.

Balancing Act

Of people under the age of 45 believe flexible working has markedly improved their mental health.

Wildgoose

39% struggle to find a role with the right level of flexibility.

WIB Expo Survey

What Women Want According to KPMG’s Women’s Study Report, 69% of women are willing to proactively ask to be involved in a project, and 66% are willing to take on a project that is new to them.

28

WOR DS OF WI DSOM

If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito in the room Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop

I T

&

T ECH NOLOGY

REACH FOR THE CLOUDS Carlene Jackson, CEO of Cloud9 Insight, is a firm believer that more women should work in IT

Can you describe what Cloud9 Insight does?

Cloud9 Insight is a Microsoft Gold Partner that works primarily with SMEs to support their business transformation, often at a growth stage of their business.

Typically projects are business led, underpinned by a Microsoft cloud based technology such as Dynamics. We are very much purpose driven with a strong

culture to invest in people and have won awards in recognition of our success in this area. Following this success and due to popular demand we have invested in the set-up of a Government Approved Apprenticeship provider – Vantage Academy.

29

30

How did you become involved in the tech/IT sector?

I accidentally fell into the IT sector – working initially for a Project Management software company.

I stayed in the Tech sector and hit gold when I went to work for IBM, who heavily invested in training me. I gained experience as a consultant and also completed the much coveted IBM Sales School.

Following this in my next role at Xansa (formally Druid) I was generously sponsored to complete a certificate in Management with the Open University and then complete an Open University MBA, which I would recommend to anyone interested in Strategy or setting up a business as it covers

a broad range of topics. Not having an undergraduate degree, this MBA has helped increase my credentials but also expanded my way of thinking about the business world. Luckily for me, having a degree is not a prerequisite to work in the tech world – where the pace of change is so fast that its critical to learn on the job, which is another reason why apprenticeships are so relevant to this sector.

How did you grow your company?

One of the biggest costs for a services business is the people.

Initially I was able to grow the business by leveraging external

expert consultants who were happy to work ad hoc as Associates where they were only paid for billable work done. I had the domain expertise on delivering successful CRM projects, and the approach of using very high quality consultants allowed me to scale profitably. I made a decision to employ apprentices which helped me grow as their additional help freed up more senior people’s time for activities that were able to accelerate the business growth.

Another turning point in our business growth was adopting a recurring revenue model to offer support to clients post project which offers unlimited training and changes during the

I T

&

Tech still seems to be maledominated. Have you encountered any barriers as a woman in the industry?

I believe I am generally made to feel ‘special’ as a women in technology as we are often a rare breed. I do not believe I have been disadvantaged by my gender, perhaps if anything I have had positive discrimination. I believe strongly in positivity and I believe what you think often manifests itsself, so I would ask women if they feel disadvantaged what is your frame of mind, do you sub-consciously create negative outcomes? Are you asking for a salary that you truly deserve, as our male counterparts certainly will be? I would say know

Are you asking for a salary that you truly deserve, as our male counterparts certainly will be

implementation of Dynamics Customer Engagement. This recurring revenue has created a stable foundation on which to accelerate growth of the business and that growth is continuing to accelerate with expected organic growth this year of 70%+.

I am making significant investments in creating a personal and guru brand which can support both Cloud9 Insight and Vantage Academy. This is reaping significant rewards in our marketing, including an invitation to be interviewed on BBC Live News as well as speaking opportunities. The hidden benefit is that it has made attracting talent easier.

your value, and focus on using your voice to make a difference.

How can we encourage more girls to choose IT as a career?

Young girls should definitely be encouraged to work in the Tech sector as there are a broad range of careers on offer from consulting, to support, HR, sales and marketing to name a few. I would go beyond just encouraging them to work in tech and say aspire to be an entrepreneur. Technology is underpinning many areas of change in the majority of industries.

There are not many professions with this cross industry impact, combining people and creativity

T ECH NOLOGY skills which many woman have in abundance.

I believe that the work places that are going to be more successful in the future are those that place the highest levels of importance on employee engagement and focus on culture. Women have an equal role to play as leaders and often have an advantage as they typically have great emotional intelligence.

Technology is used by a diverse number of users, and those developing it need to represent this diversity. I would encourage girls to consider an apprenticeship route into tech as this will not only give an immediate income but also give useful and transferable skills. Tech has higher earning potential than any other job I know that does not require a degree.

What advice would you give a young woman starting out in IT? My advice is to value your differences. Know that people want to help you, so ask for it. Know that most men won’t feel threatened by you and will want to help you as their ego is less when dealing with a women - make the most of it!

Secondly have one or more mentors to help you reach for the stars. Don’t hold back – everything is possible and remain positive and focused on your dreams. ◗ Cloud9 is a Microsoft Gold Partner who specialise in helping small to medium sized businesses grow by implementing and supporting Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM and other complimentary cloud technology. www.cloud9insight.com

31

ARE WE ALL UNCONSCIOUSLY BIASED? Simon Bulteel, MD of Cooden Tax Consulting offers a male perspective on the lack of women-led Tech businesses.

32

When I decided to write for the premiere issue of Dynamic, I wasn’t sure about how or what I was going to write. I thought about addressing the problem of increasing the numbers of women in STEM, but it seemed to me to be a fairly well trodden path and with WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) leading the charge, probably one to avoid.

We specialise in working with SMEs with a turnover of up to £50m to claim the government’s Research and Development Tax Relief (R&D Tax Credits as they are more widely known), Video Games Tax Relief and Patent Box. The principle of R&D Tax Credits is that the company making the claim has to be advancing global Science or Technology through the resolution of scientific or technological uncertainty. In essence STEM is at the heart of every claim.

Initially in my research for the article I started to review the number of women-led businesses that we work with and found that

of the 120 clients on our CRM, only eight were owned/led by women, that’s 6.6667%. Looking at WISE’s statistics that’s equivalent to the percentage of women in executive positions on the boards of FTSE 100 companies in 2017! (w w w.w iseca mpa ig n.org.u k/ statistics/boardroom-stats-2018/) I decided on the above heading, when I found out that I was guilty of bias, though I hope it was unconscious. I had been in communication with Steve Elford and Milly Stone from Whitespace

“I found that of the 120 clients on our CRM, only eight were owned/led by women”

Ian and Louise Smith of OSET Bikes, developers of Electric Trials bikes have benefitted from claims for R&D Tax Relief

I T Creative Studios in Brighton about looking at a R&D Tax Credits claim for their business. It wasn’t until I got an email from Milly on the eve of our meeting that I noticed that she was the Managing Director of the business. At the end of our meeting I apologised to her, and mentioned that I’d try and make it up! (She said she’d be happy with a bit of free publicity!)

So, if I am unconsciously biased, has it actually had an effect on the companies that I am attracting as clients? Will it have a negative impact on my business? Are there things that I can put in place now to change that?

The simple answer to the first

&

of these is “I don’t know”. I don’t go out of my way to deter femaleled businesses, but I am sure if I don’t attract them it will have a negative effect on my business. It is important to act.

I have booked a stand and speaking slot at Women in Business Exhibition in Farnborough on 16th17th October (where Dynamic will be launched). I’ll even have a special offer for women-led businesses who want to claim R&D Tax Credits.

I am also looking to grow the business so if you have experience in STEM and fancy a slight change in your career please get in touch.

We are looking for someone who wants to help businesses grow and

PICTURE CREDITS: HEADSHOT – SARAH BENNETT COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY OSET PICTURE – PHILIP BURROWES – AVANT COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRPAHY

T ECH NOLOGY who might be able to write technical reports to support the tax claims.

We are also looking to set up a grant writing team to help our clients to bid for R&D grants. Don’t worry about having to be in Sussex, you don’t, we’re flexible! ◗ If you’re interested in finding out more about R&D Tax Credits, you’d like to make a claim, or you might be interested in joining the team, why not visit us on stand G13 almost opposite Women in Tech, if you can’t make the exhibition, contact us through www.coodentaxconsulting.co.uk or phone 01424 225345 and ask to speak to Simon.

33

ARE WOMEN MISSING OUT ON BILLIONS? Why do female start-ups only receive a tiny fraction of venture capital investment, asks Karen Lord, Corporate Partner at Healys LLP In February this year, research commissioned by the thenChancellor, Philip Hammond, highlighted that female-led startups receive just one penny for every pound of venture capital (VC) investment in the UK. This compares starkly, according to the British Business Bank and Financial Times, to the 89% of funds invested in all-male startup teams. The remaining 10%

THE ‘OLD BOY’S CLUB’?

34

One reason for the large gender gap in business could be the nature of the business network itself. According to research, founders who are introduced to investors by a mutual connection are 13 times more likely to be accepted for funding. Affiliation with investment networks is important for entrepreneurs who are looking for access to VC funding. But such networks are known to embrace an ‘old boys’ club’ culture and are predominantly male-led. This year, The Independent newspaper

reported that just 13% of seniors operating in investment teams were women.

The upshot of this is that it seems that women are less likely to get a “warm introduction” than men and this inevitably creates (or sustains) a gender imbalance in the businesses that investors fund. This issue has been acknowledged by Virgin Start Up which recently pledged to challenge the imbalance by ensuring that half of all businesses it funds going forward will be founded by women.

of funds go to mixed teams.

It is a shocking statistic that in 2019 nearly 90% of all VC investment supports male-led start-ups, and raises the question: are women missing out on billions of pounds in funding? And if so why?

Here are a few of the issues that may be preventing women from maximising their potential in business.

Old Boys Club

DY NA M IC

BLAGGING THE BUCK V. IMPOSTER SYNDROME

It can be difficult to create interest in VC funding under £5M; VCs like to talk big! Capturing the attention of VCs often means taking risks and thinking big – in other words applicants may find themselves applying for more funding than originally anticipated and upselling their business plan to reflect the figures in mind.

Thinking big or blagging the buck is in direct conflict with an increasingly talked about obstacle that can hold women back from having the confidence to pursue their entrepreneurial flare: Imposter Syndrome.

Imposter Syndrome (IS) is a

mixture of anxiety and a persistent inability to recognise one’s own success, apparently caused by a lack of testosterone – the self-confidence hormone. IS was originally identified in 1978 and was believed to only affect women, but recent studies have shown that men are also affected.

IS affects highly successful people and yet even these suffer from feelings of low-self-worth believing that they don’t belong at the top table.

A recent Real Business article reported that Michelle Kennedy, CEO and co-founder of viral app developer Peanut, has blamed imposter syndrome for stopping her going to meetings.

The article goes on: “In the past, those

FI NA NCE

feelings of inadequacy have held me back from going to a meeting and networking with important people that could have helped my business grow, that led to countless lost opportunities for me.”

A case in point: research from NatWest has identified that 60% of women who had considered establishing their own business pulled back from doing so because of some form of self-doubt. And yet evidence from a 2017 PwC report shows that in 2015 and 2016 female-led crowdfunding campaigns were 32% more successful when it came to achieving their funding goals by comparison to male-led equivalents.

35

DY NA M IC

FI NA NCE WHO RUNS THE WORLD?

Despite the hurdles, it is important to note and celebrate the inspiring number of women who defy the barriers and not only succeed, but also lead in business. A study from the Centre for Entrepreneurship found that female entrepreneurs take home twice as much pay as men, although 25% of women reported in the study that they did not have the necessary networks to build their business.

It therefore raises the question: if all female entrepreneurs had the networks they needed to run their business, could we start to close the funding gap?

There is growing evidence from VCs that companies with female founders perform over 60% better than their male counterparts. If this is true, VCs may be failing to open the door to the best deals by not making themselves more accessible and attractive to women. And by the same token women need to learn to ditch the feelings of low selfworth, pat themselves on the back and stop selling themselves and their businesses short.

How to get ahead

If you’re an entrepreneur looking to maximise your business, here are a few useful tips for you to consider: ◗ Use the networks – if you’re uncomfortable networking, start small and work your way up. But do it and don’t be shy! ◗ Be bold – explore VC investment opportunities and get yourself in front of the right people. ◗ Get help – an experienced corporate lawyer can not only help you make sure you nail your deal properly but will also support you in making the right connections and introduce you to potential investors. ◗ Have confidence! – Business is about taking risks.

Ladies, don’t limit your possibilities by doing yourself down.

36

◗ For more information about Healys LLP and their available corporate service offerings for entrepreneurs, please contact Karen Lord at: Karen.lord@healys.com

SP W A IN B A RE D A E K LU FO X R E 2!

*

1 sp 0 D a ec br 2 ea 0 Em k 19 a on a il . S nd dy ee te na w ll u mi w s c@ w t .sp he pla ab na tin re m um ak e s.c of pub om the lis /e cr hin ly ui g. si se co um s .u -c hip k b ol y y le ou ct io ca n n fo bo rc o lu k a es !

Find your perfect spa escape Whether it’s a last minute escape, a health retreat or a luxury spa experience of a lifetime from our Elysium Collection, you’ll find your perfect spa experience at Spabreaks.com.

Call 0800 043 6600 or visit spabreaks.com *Value of prize is up to £450. Email dynamic@platinumpublishing.co.uk for T&Cs

WHAT WOMEN REALLY WANT IS

FINANCIAL FREEDOM For women in business, it’s important to have a plan in place that will provide you with financial security, says Tracey Evans, Associate Director at Progeny Wealth

38

Women are, of course, just as interested as men when it comes to understanding and making the most of their financial affairs.

However, despite our educational and career advancement, women are still largely overlooked by the financial industry and the image many women have of financial advisers steers them away from seeking advice.

Whether you are at the start of

your career or want to make the most of the assets you have worked hard to build up, it’s important to have a plan in place that will provide you with financial security. Employing a professional adviser can save you money, time and a lot of worry. They can help you to define your financial goals, sort out the tedious paperwork, and better manage your savings and investments.

DY NA M IC titles you will come across are Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) and Restricted Advisers.

Both are qualified and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This means that there are rules they must follow when dealing with you.

WHAT IS AN INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER?

Many people start by seeking answers to specific questions.

How can I be more tax-efficient with my savings? Which pension should I choose? Can I get a cheaper mortgage? Do I have the right insurance?

Restricted financial advisers often work directly for banks or large networks and are restricted

“A goal without a plan is just a wish” Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

The key to finding the right financial adviser is working out what type of advice you need and finding a qualified professional who makes you feel confident about your decisions.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ADVISERS AND PLANNERS? Financial advice comes in many different guises. There are several professional titles that are often used interchangeably, but actually refer to different capabilities and offerings. When looking for general financial advice, the most common

in the type of products they can choose from or the number of providers they can offer. For example, an adviser at your bank may only be able to offer you their insurance solutions.

An Independent Financial Adviser (IFA), on the other hand, is most importantly, independent.

They are not restricted in the type of advice they can give, either in relation to specific products or the providers they can recommend.

You therefore know that you will be getting the widest choice of solutions available. It’s important to ask if they are independent or restricted.

FI NA NCE

WHAT IS A CHARTERED FINANCIAL PLANNER?

Some professionals may have more than one type of accreditation, and the lines blur a little between advisers and planners, with some professionals offering both services.

The main difference is in what you hope to achieve. A financial planner will help you to define your financial goals and show you the best ways to achieve them, bringing together your spending habits, insurance and taxes, savings and investments, pensions and properties.

For women, the lifestyle planning process tends to be very important. A financial planner can carry out cashflow modelling to visually demonstrate your entire financial life, analysing your present circumstances and projecting your future with a comprehensive long-term plan. I’ve known high earners that feel depleted every month, wondering where it all goes.

Working with a financial planner can be life-changing.

Building a good relationship may take time. You should feel that your financial adviser has listened to your needs and fully understood your goals. Whatever is right for you, what’s important is to overcome any financial barriers to success. ◗ Tracey Evans is an Associate Director at Progeny Wealth. She is one of the most qualified individuals in the financial planning profession, as a Chartered Financial Planner, Certified Financial Planner™, Registered Life Planner®, Chartered MCSI and Chartered Wealth Manager.

Connect with Tracey on LinkedIn, call +44 7825 070 660 or email tracey.evans@ theprogenygroup.com Progeny Wealth is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

39

DY NA M IC

FI NA NCE

THE RIGHT STEPS TO BUSINESS GROWTH

Alison Jones from Kreston Reeves on how businesses are tackling challenges to growth

Following a recent survey we undertook we were delighted to learn that 60% of businesses had grown more than 25% over the past three years and despite all the current turmoil, 58% were positive that they would grow more than 25% over the next three years.

Europe continues to be our most important international market but 35% of businesses have no international inspirations at all so our domestic market continues to be our main marketplace.

The top three barriers to growth were identified as business uncertainty, limited access to funding and increased competitor activity. Investing in technology was seen as the single largest driver of growth. So, what steps should you take to ensure that you continue to grow?

THE RIGHT TEAM 40

Every business needs a founder who is passionate about their

business. But you can’t do everything so you need to be brave and bring in a strong team that can support you as you grow.

THE RIGHT SYSTEMS

You need to have a system and infrastructure in place to run the business. In the beginning this may just be a simple accounts system and an order book but in order to grow you also need to consider IT, marketing, recruitment and even admin!

Your business systems will need to grow alongside the growth in your business.

A BUSINESS PLAN

Every business will have created a business plan in the beginning, but it should not be left to gather dust. Your business plan should be under regular review and it will change and evolve as your business grows and the

E DUC AT ION

market around you changes.

It should think to the future, consider different scenarios and should also include a “what if everything goes wrong plan”.

It is always better to plan for a potential crisis and then you can deal with it should it ever happen.

KEEP AN EYE ON THE NUMBERS

Many businesses fail because they have not kept an eye on cash flow. A smart business will not only know how much cash they have in the bank, but also up and coming payments such as a VAT bill. Knowing when to expect cash in will help you plan to make these payments and looking forwards will enable to you determine when you have enough money to buy extra stock or capital items, to hire staff or perhaps take out a dividend.

MONITOR PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND MARKETS

You need to keep an eye on the quality of the product or service you are providing as if this starts to deteriorate, your business will start to fail. Seeking feedback will help you monitor this. You also need to keep an eye on your competition and advances in the marketplace or product to ensure that you are not left behind.

Continue to innovate rather than stand still.

THE RIGHT ADVISERS

Your advisers need to be part of your team and they need to understand the business in which you operate and the challenges that face you. Your advisers are there to support you on your journey and so choose an advisor that is experienced and that you trust.

There are a number of challenges facing us all at the

moment with Brexit looming and the world markets slowing down.

New technology is also rapidly changing both the workplace and the way that we interact with each other.

With so many changes happening, it is a challenge for us all. But change can also create opportunities and the potential for growth. As long as you are following these steps you should be agile enough to face these challenges.

And whatever your business, don’t forget you do not need to do this alone. ◗ Alison Jones is a Partner at Kreston Reeves alison.jones@krestonreeves.com www.krestonreeves.com T: 0330 124 1399

41

ENTRY DEADLINE

OCTOBER 23RD 2019

SUSSEX PROPERTY AWARDS

CELEBRATING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE REGION’S PROPERTY SECTOR

ENTER NOW FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME AN AWARD-WINNING COMPANY TO VIEW CATEGORIES AND DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORMS, VISIT WWW.SUSSEXPROPERTYAWARDS.COM

AWARD CEREMONY MARCH 5TH 2020

OR S N O P S A E M O BEC pportunity ard is a fantastic o

Sponsoring an arwprofile within the industry. to raise you ann:

Hoffm contact Maarten 46 To find our more, 79 uk • 0 66 2440 o. .c g in ish bl pu um maarten@platin PRO U D LY SP O NSO R ED BY

SURREY

BUSINESS MAGAZINE

DY NA M IC

STATS

THE PAY DISPUTE The Emerging Payments Association (EPA) has published research on gender equality in the payments industry.

EPA found that 77.5% of the female participants and 38% of the men feel that gender discrimination is still unacceptably high. 57% reported having personally experienced gender discrimination, and that discrimination has had serious negative effects on their duties, pay and/or advancement in the workplace.

{at a g l a n c e } PAY GAP | Facts and stats

If we closed the wage and participation gaps (women around the world participating in labour markets at the same rate as men), it would add $28 trillion to the global economy.

McKinsey.com

◗ A quarter of companies and public sector bodies have a pay gap of more than 20% in favour of men, according to gender pay gap figures released in early 2019.

At least FOUR women are running for US president in 2020, including two with proposed child care and paid family leave plans.

What is a gender pay gap? ◗ The gender pay gap is the average difference between hourly wages for men and women.

TH E OVERTI M E BURDEN On average, women around the world spend more than twice as many hours as men doing unpaid work.

Melinda Gates, The Moment of Lift

◗ In December 2018 the World Economic Forum reported that it will take 202 years to close the gap. ◗ Fewer than half the UK’s biggest employers have succeeded in narrowing their gender pay gap.

BBC

◗ Nordic countries dominate the top 10 Women in Work index rankings, spending large amounts on family benefits such as affordable childcare and freeing up women to work full-time. Iceland takes first position followed by Sweden and New Zealand. Norway is in fifth, Denmark in seventh and Finland in ninth. ◗ The UK ranked the second highest of the G7 countries, behind Canada in 11th place.

PwC’s Women in Work Index, March 2019

43

Do you need a financial adviser?

Too few women are financially prepared for retirement says Samantha Kaye, Chartered Financial Planner at Wellesley Wealth Advisory

Historically, women are underrepresented in the financial advice sector in the UK – however, this is changing! As an adviser with Wellesley Wealth Advisory a Partner Practice of St. James’s Place, a practice with over £600 million funds under management as at 25 September 2019, I am extremely proud to be a role model for women working in – or aspiring to work in – financial services.

But women aren’t just in the minority when it comes to a career in finance – money can also still be a taboo for many women, which is perhaps one reason why many women are not putting enough aside for later life.

According to a recent survey, only one in five women believe that they are saving enough for their retirement compared with a third of men.1 Women face a number of challenges when it comes to building up a comfortable amount of retirement. The gender pay gap and the pensions gap – and not to mention any time taken away from work to look after family – all have an impact. However, with the proportion of women working at the highest rate since records began, now is the time to plan ahead!2

Only one in five women believe that they are saving enough for their retirement compared with a third of men.

44

ABOUT ME

As an adviser with Wellesley Wealth Advisory, my passion, along with more than 20 years’ experience, lies in providing bespoke advice tailored to people’s individual requirements.

I advise clients on all aspects of financial planning, and specialise in investments and retirement planning.

From young professionals to ultra-high net worth individuals, everyone can benefit from professional financial advice.

Having a future plan helps to eliminates stress and allows you to focus on your financial goals and building a successful business.

With more female business owners and entrepreneurs seeking advice when it comes to their current finances and future planning, I can provide advice on specific business aspects, such as profit extraction, pension planning, and also protection needs for your business and family. I will ensure that the financial plans we make are acted upon, by offering guidance, reassurance, support and consistency to help you stay on course for a prosperous financial future.

PROMOT IONA L

ABOUT WELLESLEY WEALTH ADVISORY

At Wellesley we pride ourselves on our personalised service that focuses on your own interests and aspirations, and we aim to create long-lasting relationships between our clients and advisers.

We understand that everyone’s financial needs are different, which is why you won’t find a ‘one-size-fits-all’ plan with Wellesley – instead, you’ll have the chance to grow a professional and long-lasting relationship with Samantha who will work with you to understand how best to manage your personal wealth.

We have a large and wellestablished client base, principally in the South East of England, with a client retention rate consistently over 99%. With over £600m funds under management, we are proud to be recognised as one of the largest practices by funds under management within the St. James’s Place Partnership.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested.

Brewin Dolphin’s Family Wealth Report 2019, which surveyed 5,000 savers

1

NOW: Pensions, Facing An Unequal Future – Closing The Gender Pensions Gap, July 2019

2

FE AT U R E

◗ If you’re looking for guidance on planning for your future, please do not hesitate to contact me for an appointment.

Samantha Kaye, Chartered Financial Planner, Associate Member of Resolution Wellesley House, 50 Victoria Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 9LH 07894 903590 samantha.kaye@sjpp.co.uk www.wellesleywa.co.uk

St. James’s Place guarantees the suitability of advice offered by Wellesley Wealth Advisory when recommending any of the services and products available from companies in the Group. More details of the Guarantee are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products Wellesley Wealth Advisory is a trading name of Wellesley Investment Management Ltd. The Partner Practice is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/about-st-james-place/our-business/our-products-andservices. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives. Wellesley Investment Management Ltd: Registered Office: 44 The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England TN2 5TN. Registered in England & Wales, Company No. 06530147

45

DY NA M IC

FI NA NCE

FINANCE WITH A HALO Focus on Halo Corporate Finance the Business Finance Experts

SUPPORTING WOMEN IN BUSINESS

46

Halo are proud to partner with Women In Business and have a strong track record of supporting female-owned businesses of all kinds, including fitness centres, retail outlets and childcare providers to name just a few.

One such business that Halo worked very closely with is new start childcare company Rocketeers, who required funding to start a nursery.

Speaking about working with Halo, Rocketeers’ founder Ciara Keane said, “As a new business, Rocketeers had a need for funding for various aspects of the business, and Halo were there to support us with that growth.

“Halo were extremely helpful from the start, they were extremely accessible and made the transaction easy. As a new business, we didn’t

know where to get help to enable us to fulfil our growth goals, but Halo did everything they could to help us achieve them.

“Dealing with other finance companies has been hard work, but Halo were different. They performed all the necessary due diligence on our company whilst

making it easy for us, we were not held up by unnecessary paperwork or delays.

“We are so happy with our experience that we have used Halo twice now, and are working with them on further funding for a phone system and car finance.

They have helped us to see what is

Halo has a market leading proportion of female brokers among its staff

possible for our growing business and we would highly recommend them to others in the same position.”

GETTING THE BEST FINANCE SOLUTIONS FOR OUR CUSTOMERS

In addition to supporting businesses pioneered by women, Halo is proud to boast a marketleading proportion of female brokers among its staff. Founder Luke Hultquist said, “Halo currently have over 60 UK-based lenders on our panel, meaning that we can almost always secure an extremely competitive finance deal for our customers. Unlike many brokers we also lend on our own book which gives us the ultimate flexibility for creditworthy new start businesses.”

Halo’s website, www.hcfl. co.uk offers a flavour of what we

can do: asset finance, business loans, commercial mortgages, short term loans and much more.

For applications from new start businesses, we like to see: ◗ Three months business bank statements (if trading) or personal bank statements if not from each Director; ◗ A business plan showing cash flow, profit and loss statement, balance sheet, and details of any committed orders; ◗ List of assets/purchases that the funding would be used for; and ◗ Confirmation that at least one of the Directors is a homeowner, and if not, details of a third party guarantor that is a homeowner with a good credit history.

Halo’s partnership with some of the UK’s leading funders means we can guarantee the fastest possible turnaround for your application, and we are able to support you every step of the way.

SPEAK TO AN EXPERT TODAY

Halo Corporate Finance has been established for 15 years and operates from its base in West Sussex with offices all over the UK. If you would like to discuss how we can help your business grow, get in touch with us at the Women In Business show on stand E17, email us at sales@ hcfl.co.uk or call 0345 450 1966.

Alternatively simply go online at www.hcfl.co.uk to start the ball rolling.

47

BUILDING THE ULTIMATE CONFIDENCE Interview with entrepreneur, speaker and success coach, Agata Galuszka, the founder of Ultimate Confidence Ltd.

48

You have a business that offers women life coaching, either as a online course or as a personal coach. Why did you set up the business?

As a young woman, after a divorce and a failed business, I was desperate to reconnect with myself and I dove head-first into self-help best sellers and scoured the internet for advice.

I earned a Master’s degree and landed a position with the NHS, where I excelled at increasing productivity and developing new programs. I became the

youngest female board member as the Director of HR and People Development.

I used the tools I’d learned to counsel my corporate employees and help them create the massive mindset shifts required to uplevel their careers. But I started to realise how limiting my job was. I could only help people within the scope of the company and my real passion was to empower more women.

I’m particularly excited about an initiative we have in the works to mentor and teach entrepreneurship to young women at local colleges

and universities. These students will have the opportunity to learn from successful women working in the fields they’re interested in and benefit from their experience by talking to women “in the trenches.”

Why is it so important to help women become empowered?

I have to remind my female clients every day that gender has no bearing on their ability to achieve great things. It has nothing to do with their leadership potential.

The challenge is casting aside hundreds of years of conditioning about who we’re supposed to be and what we’re capable of.

The foundation of the work I do is all about mindset and establishing an unshakable belief in what they have to offer so

DY NA M IC

COACH I NG

serving them. Inside the course, they’ll also learn how to cultivate new thoughts and beliefs so they can change the course of their lives. The final phase of the course focuses on the step-by-step process I use to help my clients reach the new goals they’ve set for themselves.

Most people think they have to change everything in their lives right off the bat to get from Point A to Point B. But that mentality is overwhelming and unmotivating.

If you commit to taking even the smallest action day in and day out, your life will look a whole lot different in six months or a year.

Consistency might not be the sexiest idea but it gets results.

My hope is that this course will become a go-to resource for women everywhere and provide a place for them to become inspired and empowered as well as receive the support they may be too intimidated to ask for.

Women Empowerment is educating, training, inspiring women so they are prepared and have ultimate confidence to live the lives of their dreams.

they’re able to create lives and careers they’re excited about.

A couple of years ago I was inspired to share this message in a bigger way so I created my first online course. It’s part mindset overhaul, part project plan and it really encompasses the entire process I use when I work with

clients one-on-one. The course is the culmination of years of personal growth as well as my experience working with hundreds of coaching clients.

The material will help women recognise their negative patterns, where those patterns come from, and understand how they aren’t

Do women support each other enough?

As women, we’ve been conditioned to believe we need to compete with one another and that asking for help or support makes us weak. If we can’t “do it all” there must be something wrong with us. We can accomplish so much more when we have the support of a community of like-minded women behind us.

Being part of a tribe where you feel safe to lean on each other when you’re struggling and to celebrate your wins together is so powerful. ◗ If you want to join our community and hear more from us please go to www.ultimateconfidenceltd.com/ the_ultimate_guide_to_success_ confidence It’s completely free to join.

49

I N T E RV I E W

STREETS AHEAD

Penny Streeter, entrepreneur and owner of Mannings Heath Golf and Wine Estate, tells Dynamic why a childhood in South Africa has shaped her career in more ways than one

52

How has your southern African background defi ned you as a businesswoman?

It has had a tremendous influence on me, I grew up in what was then Rhodesia and was privileged, despite the war, to have had a carefree childhood. I was schooled in South Africa and I felt that from a young age that in Southern Africa there existed a service and work ethic that was

second to none. This has remained with me throughout my career and I strive to ensure that service delivery remains one of the core ingredients of my businesses today.

How did you go from healthcare to golf, gardens, and a vineyard?

Having worked in healthcare for over 20 years the move into hospitality for me was an

accidental one. I was a homeowner on Benguela Cove in 2013 when the estate ran into difficulty, I stepped in and rescued the property development and the farm, a 200 hectare estate consisting of 75 hectares of vineyard. The wine estate is now one of the most prestigious in South Africa. A vineyard the size of Benguela Cove has the capacity to produce nearly one million bottles of wine per year, and it was with this in mind that we acquired Mannings Heath and turned it into England’s first golf and wine experience.

Leonardslee Gardens followed and there we have planted England’s first Pinotage. My aim

DY NA M IC

I N T E RV I E W

Above: “The UK wine industry is moving now at a fast pace,” says Penny.

Far left: Owner of Mannings Heath Golf and Wine Estate and Leonardslee Gardens, Penny Streeter Left: Planting vines on the estate’s vineyard

has been to create a fabulous visitor experience at any one of the properties and of course to produce cool climate focused wines in both South Africa and England.

In what way does the South African wine industry differ to the UK? The South African wine industry is very established and the South Africans are second in the world for wine tourism, only slightly behind Australia. The making of wine accessible to everyone and demystifying wine as a whole is a good thing and encourages people to be adventurous. The UK wine industry is moving now at a fast

pace and I believe our experiences will grow exponentially.

What does your OBE mean to you?

It’s a great honour and recognition of my work in business and as a job creator. It was something I never expected to have in my wildest dreams and I have to make sure that I stay true to who I am and remain focused on everything I do.

Describe a typical day?

I’m up at 5am, I do crossfit five days a week, unfortunately years of being in an office has taking its toll.

My phone starts ringing from 8am and my working day begins.

You will normally find me either on conference calls with my overseas managers or meeting with country managers discussing their divisions, successes and issues.

Wine plays a big part of my day now and I will talk daily with my operations manager, winemaker and brand staff. I try to be tucked up by 10pm.

What do you like most about living in West Sussex?

Everything, it really is a fantastic place to be and so much to do culturally and foodie wise. It’s just amazing and I am proud to have two Sussex-based businesses. ◗ www.manningsheath.com

53

DY NA M IC

V E N U E S

A SUSSEX VINE STORY

54

Mannings Heath Golf and Wine Estate was established in 1905 and has operated successfully as a thriving golf club with two 18 hole golf courses and a burgeoning membership. The property has evolved with its new owner Penny Streeter, who purchased the property in April 2016 and converted 9 holes of the Kingfisher Golf Course into a wine estate.

91,000 vines have been planted on the sweeping south facing slopes which will have their first harvest next autumn.

Penny has always aspired to be a single estate wine maker, so she has now started the process of building a winery.

The introduction of vineyards has spiked a new interest in the Estate as well as significant refurbishments and investment.

There is now a thriving Wine Club, vineyard tours and wine tasting

experiences to add to a long list of attractions at the venue.

Another significant development is the multi-purpose Vineyard Barn which is currently under construction and will create a truly amazing space overlooking the vineyards and the Kingfisher Golf Course and will be ready in Spring 2020. There will be fire pits for the Harvest Parties and space for 150 guests to build their ideal bespoke wedding or celebration event. Set in a beautiful, peaceful part of the Estate and licensed for ceremonies, this really is a

stunning addition to the portfolio.

Yet another exciting calendar date is International Women’s Day on March 8th 2020 when Mannings Heath will be staging a grand lunch around this time with a panel of ground breaking female entrepreneurs in attendance to speak and answer questions. Be sure to mark it down in your diary for attendance. ◗ Sales Team tel: 01403 220345 or sales@manningsheath.com Wine enquiries tel: 01403 210228 wine@manningsheath.com www.manningsheath.com

DY NA M IC

C A M PA IGN

THE CAMPAIGN Campaigning for genuine flexible working Few would argue against the fact that flexible working is desirable, but it is still out of reach for millions of employees. A recent TUC poll found that flexi-time is unavailable to 58% of the UK workforce. This is unacceptable.

Within our campaigning section of the magazine, we outline why flexible working is so important.

Over the following pages, members of our steering committee spell out why flexible working matters. This is followed by a case study of creative agency Something Big, which offers

practical advice on how to implement flexible working.

Emma Cleary explains why she started a recruitment agency that focuses solely on positions that promote flexible hours.

And finally we present the Dynamic Manifesto – a call to action on how businesses and the Government must act to encourage flexible working, ensure there are more female board members and remove the burden of prohibitive childcare. It is time to act!

55

DY NA M IC

C A M PA IGN

JULIE K APSALIS

CEO Chichester / Crawley College Group

How has flexible working helped you?

As a busy working mother of two boys (aged 7 and 8) flexible working isn’t just about a change/reduction in hours or working from home. It’s about the culture and ethos of an organisation. For me, flexible working is knowing that I can be 30 minutes late into the office to be able to take my children into school on their first day of term.

It’s about being able to finish a little bit early to watch a rugby game or go to a meeting at the school. I hugely value the flexibility that my employer gives me and it gives me both sanity and loyalty. My job entails a lot of out of hours work and flexibility works both ways – a flexible approach to working drives greater productivity and job satisfaction.

I am keen to extend this flexibility to the culture of a number of Boards that I sit on.

I believe that Boards need to understand that a commitment to greater diversity includes a commitment to exploring more flexible approaches to meetings through uses of technology and revisiting timings of meetings.”

56

ALISON JONES Partner Kreston Reeves

Is Flexible working right for all staff?

We took the decision to bring in agile working across the whole firm in November 2018 and one of our initial main concerns was whether this is suitable for all staff?

Our policy relies on trust and ensuring that it works for everyone, including the other members of the team, and especially our clients. We always put our clients’ needs first and so it is important that there is strong communication with the rest of the team and clarity over calendar and availability.

Managing your team is more complicated but luckily, we have a telephone system similar to Skype that allows us to connect to each other and IT that allows us to log onto our central systems from anywhere.

The team continue to work together in the office most of the time because they enjoy working together but being able to work from home sometimes or flex their hours has proved invaluable and helped us all achieve a better work life balance.

It has been an outstanding success.

DY NA M IC

C A M PA IGN

LOUISE PUNTER

CEO Surrey Chambers of Commerce

Do businesses need to offer flexible working to attract the best staff?

By offering flexible working a business is immediately able to select from a much bigger pool of people, maximising their chance of finding the best new employee. There can be many reasons why someone needs this flexibility. An obvious reason could be women, and in some cases men, returning to work after staying home with children and needing to adjust their hours to accommodate some childcare responsibilities. Many people

have other caring responsibilities involving elderly parents or sometimes it may relate to a specific hobby or passion requiring occasional different hours. Whatever the need there is no doubt that if this flexibility can be accommodated it will attract more people and once on board they will be much happier and valued employees and therefore deliver better results.

So the answer is unreservedly “Yes”!

VICTORIA KERTON

Regional Director NatWest

What has been your experience of flexible working?

When I started a family in the mid-2000s, flexible working was not widely offered, and so I had to work out what my priorities were. My husband and I made the decisions together, and I requested to work reduced hours and some of those remotely, which at that time became a possibility through changes in technology.

The cultural tone was different then, and the level

of encouragement for flexible working varied from employer to employer – it was very reliant on how supportive the senior management was. I was lucky that at that time my employer was keen to make it work, which I really appreciated. A lot of the support I received was down to my managing director, who advocated for me and took a risk in bringing me back part-time, as it really was a risk then.

Very positively, and certainly within NatWest, flexible working today is not seen as an impediment to growth. The bank has a tremendous awareness of the value it can create and retain, and I am very proud to work for an organisation that holds those views. In my experience, flexibility and an understanding of individual needs can, in fact, lead to a more productive, creative and loyal workplace.

57

FL E X I BL E

WOR K I NG

SOMETHING FLEXIBLE Sally Pritchett, CEO at the creative communications agency Something Big, offers advice on how employers can make the workplace work better

58

Last years’ Rose Report* highlighted various areas for improvement and, like climate change, everyone needs to do their bit, from government and

banks, to employers and women themselves. One of the areas that needs our combined effort is making it easier for mums to stay in the workforce, not letting

FL E X I BL E

WOR K I NG

For the first time, I don’t feel guilty about being a mum

#1 OFFER FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS

Many businesses have become more open minded to flexible working but sadly there are several that haven’t, making it really hard for their staff to juggle family responsibilities with work pressures. Those employers who haven’t caught on to flexible working risk missing out on vital talent.

“A while ago I was offered a role which was soon retracted when I explained I needed to leave at 5pm on certain days for childcare commitments, now, if I got the sense that a business was not going to be flexible, I simply wouldn’t work there.

At Something Big, for the first time, I don’t feel guilty about being a mum.”

Something Big team member parenthood stall their careers, so as a nation we don’t miss out on this vital talent pool.

At Something Big, we compete with London’s plethora of agencies, not only for our customers but also for talent and it became very apparent to me that the experienced, expert talent our customers need usually means ideal candidates are in their mid-

twenties to mid-thirties, so with a fairly female centric industry, that often brings maternities and new mums.

Juggling running the business with being a mum of three myself, it was natural to embrace family friendly policies. There are so many things, big and small, that every employer can do, to make it easier for working parents, here’s my tips:

59

FL E X I BL E

WOR K I NG #4 SUPPORT DADS AS WELL AS MUMS

#2 CREATE A FAIR ENVIRONMENT FOR NON-PARENTS AS WELL

Employers have a part to play in driving positive cultures in their businesses, one way to support this is making sure benefits like flexible working arrangements are made available to non-parents as well, this helps reduce animosity that working parents sometimes feel from their colleagues.

“Although my employer has always been open to flexible working, a few years ago it was only ever requested by parents. My own perception was that I didn’t have a good enough reason to ‘qualify’ for not being in the office all of the time. I think it’s key that people without children are considered equally entitled to ‘have a life’ outside of work” Something Big team member

#3 MAKE POST MATERNITY AS EASY AS POSSIBLE

It sounds obvious but it’s still a really difficult time for many women. Doing simple things or offer an ‘easing in period’ makes a huge difference to women and communicate with colleagues so that there’s clarity over expectations. Make an effort to ‘welcome’ women back to work, it’s an emotional experience so feeling supported instead of intimidated will go a long way.

60

“The management’s approach to integrating me back into the business was exceptional. I was offered flexible hours for my first month of work, so I eased in with at 2 days a week, it made the whole transition far less stressful “For any new mum coming back to work it’s full of emotion and challenges. I was torn between being excited and being sad to leave my baby for a whole day.”

Something Big team member

It may sound obvious but as a society we need to push for equality both at work and at home. Employers need to do their bit by giving dads the flexibility to take responsibility as well.

“I have been able to change my working hours which has allowed me to pick up my son two days a week and let my wife work later, and I get more time with my son and get to cook him dinner twice a week” Something Big team member

My own perception was that I didn’t have a good enough reason to ‘qualify’ for not being in the office all of the time

#5 DON’T LOSE TOUCH WITH YOUR TEAMS DURING MATERNITY

Maternity leave is a huge transition for women so it’s critical employers help reduce stress levels not increase them!

Consider those on maternity as part of your team, keep them in the loop on business changes, invite them to socials and make an effort to help them feel part of the team. Often they’ll be too busy to respond or attend but they’ll appreciate not feeling left out.

“As a first time mum I had fears that leaving a job that I had been in for nearly 10 years would make coming back incredibly difficult.

I was scared that so much would have happened in such a fast paced industry. I kept in regular contact and came to quarterly meetings, it was so helpful to see what had been happening whilst I was off. I was invited to join in on social occasions which made me still feel very much part of the team” Something Big team member

FL E X I BL E

#6 RE-INDUCT POST MATERNITY

Most businesses offer great inductions for new team members, sharing information on how the business works, who’s who and what is expected of them.

Consider a similar approach for those returning after a maternity, having focused on other priorities it’s common not to remember things like processes and employers tend to overlook the scale of change over the course of 9-12 months.

“I have had two babies since being at Something Big, on return from my eldest they really did try and make it easy for me, but I wasn’t brought up to speed on some of the processes that had changed, which made it harder. I gave my manager this feedback and when I returned after my second child, there was a solid induction plan, like I was new starter, which took the stress away of having to ask colleagues or get things wrong.”

Something Big team member

#7 KEEP DEVELOPMENT PLANS GOING

Maternity or reduced working hours do not need to lead to less development opportunities or career progression. Sometimes a sense of political correctness or a desire to follow strict HR policies prevent open discussions about an employees’ career plans which I feel is a real shame.

Where possible, open up honest dialogue with your team about their plans, both family and work wise and develop a joined up approach. There’s a tip in here for women too, which is to be open and honest with employers, (and for those who feel that honesty about starting a family would be career limiting then either educate your employer or vote with your feet and find an employer who is more open minded, nothing will change unless we make it happen).

Sadly my sense is this remains an area for significant

WOR K I NG

improvement in many businesses, even when the basics of flexible working hours and support are available, employers are still slowing down development for women during a critical time of their career and this is a key factor in the gender pay gap.

“I was adamant I was going to have my cake and eat it, I wasn’t going to let having a family impact my career. I love what I what do and I have seen too many friends give up on their careers whether it was their choice or not. I was incredibly lucky I had a boss who juggled three children with a busy job so she understood the importance of family life but also of career development.”

Something Big team member * The Rose Review can be found at www.natwestbusinesshub.com (search Rose Report) ◗ somethingbig.co.uk

61

Emma Cleary is the director of a recruitment agency which specialises in flexible working.

Dynamic asked her why this service has become so in demand

THE RECRUITMENT REVOLUTION

62

FL E X I BL E Why did you decide to set up an agency specialising in flexible working?

I have been working in the flexible recruiting space for over five years and in that time the opinion of flexible working has changed disproportionately.

Currently, everyone is talking about the benefits of flexible working in terms of health, balance and most importantly productivity.

However, there is a very big difference between lip service or having one’s business hand forced by requests for flexible hours post mat/pat leave. There’s also a difference between full on cultural business change to adopting or initially testing flexible working as a business model!

There are a number of clients

talking about 4 days weeks in the South East, but currently I haven’t met anyone who has gone for it, however a number of clients are testing core hours as a first step to flexibility.

Is it mainly women (particularly mothers) that make up your candidates?

By the sheer nature of how our social system has worked historically and the fact that nursery and childcare fees are so high it means that many of our candidates are women – though not all mothers. One of the reasons that we launched our new brand is because we wanted to appeal to everyone, as flexible working will, in the future, be available to all – certainly millennials will not work a 50 hour week and we can see that more and more with the advent of the gig economy Can a successful business NOT offer flexible working today?

Most businesses that I talk to have some form of flexible working policy, not many have a flexible recruiting policy, although that is growing. However, we have a number of clients who are growing their businesses with a flexible workforce and see the beauty of a results driven culture rather than

WOR K I NG

presenteeism. It would appear that not many companies are brave enough to put their hands up and recruit based on a flexible culture yet!

Aside from family commitments what other reasons do people give for wanting to work flexibly?

Studying, caring responsibilities, commuting, mental health, health and well-being, exercise, horses, dogs to mention just a few.

How does your business work?

Our core business is to assist our registered candidates – some 2,500, from a huge range of professions to find flexible work, whether that is on a full time flexible basis – with home or remote working or on a reduced hours part time basis.

Each role is different and every client’s need is different, but we haven’t come across many jobs that really can’t be made flexible with a bit of creative thought and determination. ◗ www.flexibilitymatters.co.uk

>>

Flexibility Matters’ candidates tend to be: ◗ Between 35-54 years old ◗ Predominantly female – though this does seem to be changing since we changed our name ◗ 91% are the primary carer in their family – elderly parents, children and other caring responsibilities ◗ Most are wanting to work flexibly to gain a healthier work/life balance and meet their caring responsibilities ◗ 73% have worked in senior management or management during their careers ◗ 20% have held director or head of department positions ◗ 43% would work between 24-40 hours per week with flexibility

63

THE CAMPAIGN

64

DY NA M IC

C A M PA IGN

Surrounded by women at home and at work, there is no better person in the UK to launch the Dynamic Manifesto.

By Maarten Hoffmann, CEO, The Platinum Group As the only publication for Women in Business in Europe, our Steering Committee spent many months wrestling with the dilemma of the subject for our first campaign, only to realise that there really was only one subject – that of Flexible Working.

There are numerous differences between men and women but the one immovable difference is that men cannot give birth. This falls to women and as if that were not enough of a challenge, many women then have the terrible dilemma of how return to work.

Without women giving birth, the world would eventually grind to a halt so they are performing one of the most vital endeavours humans can undertake.

Why, oh why, do we then

penalise her and make it so bloody tough for her to return to work? This is not always the case but l have heard this time and time again. Bad enough she has been through a life changing event and has quadrupled her responsibilities and her work load but now she is faced with trying to re-enter the work place when her colleagues have surged ahead, new clients won, old projects completed and new ones underway. This is probably one of the most daunting things she can face - if we ignore the eight pounder she has recently pushed out of her body!

Not only assaulted by a lack of confidence, insecurity over where the job is going and her ability to resume her career, and constant concern over expressing milk,

Benefits of flexible working

76%

of business report that flexible working improves staff retention

73%

of business report that it improves staff motivation

72%

of business report that it improves employee engagement

Source: CIPD (2012) ‘Flexible Working Provision and Uptake’

65

DY NA M IC

C A M PA IGN

getting her head back ‘into the game’, getting home for bedtime and the myriad of other concerns, but now she needs to click back into superwomen mode at work.

I genuinely don’t know how you do it! Many a man would fall at the first hurdle and freak out would arrive on an hourly basis.

The childcare situation in the UK is appalling to say the least.

There are many allowances and benefits of course, but a quick look tells us that the ‘average’ weekly salary in the UK is £569pw and the ‘average’ childminder charges £221pw, Nursery £242pw and livein nanny £550pw. There’s the first problem, many women simply cannot afford to go back to work

66

and those that do, to stop from going bonkers singing Peppa Pig songs all day, effectively work for nothing.

One might wonder if the predominantly male-led businesses in this country have lost their collective minds.

What a valuable asset they are paying lip service too. In 2018, there were 33.65m females and 32.79m male in the UK, therefore many male bosses are making it tough for the majority of the working population to return to work.

As pointed out in the recent Rose Review, authored by the new NatWest CEO Alison Rose (watch out for our exclusive

interview in the next issue) if women opened businesses at the same rate as men, it would be worth over £250 billion to the UK economy!!

And there’s the next area of pressure on women – many feel the only way to achieve their work/life balance is to start their own business, where they can set their own hours. Great, if this is what they want to do but what of those that are forced into this decision after weighting the options?

Dynamic thinks it is time for major change to maximise the incredible value that women bring to the world of work. See our manifesto overleaf.

DY NA M IC

C A M PA IGN

Our manifesto 1

All companies with more than 800 staff should be bound by law, and common sense, to create a crèche/nursery in the workplace.

2

All pre-school nursery places should be free of charge in recognition that they are the incubators of the next generation of wealth creators.

3

All fathers should have a mandatory three-month paternity leave to allow them to fully understand the burden placed on mothers.

4

Launch an innovative new investment vehicle to increase funding going to female entrepreneurs.

5

All companies should offer sensible flexible working arrangements for all staff, therefore judging workers by what they do and not the hours they work.

6

Every company with more than 500 employees should, by law, have a female board member tasked with the legal provision of all the above.

This should be for ALL staff and not just women.

Every employee in the UK has the statutory right to request flexible working after 26 weeks of employment but we all know bosses who find ways around agreeing to this and, with many, it has become an art form.

From our perspective, at The Platinum Group, we adopted this approach over five years ago and the results have been staggering. Utilising the company run by Emma Cleary, now called Flexibility Matters, we decided to only employ mothers who were returning to work. A risk we were told in no uncertain terms as little Johnny would be ill half the time, holidays and half term would be a nightmare and every time little Johnny got the sniffles, she would be out of the door. What utter tosh.

Three quarters of the Dynamic Team are now such women and they are the hardest working, most

proficient, most productive team members we have and l am not sure we could run the company without them.

I have four sisters and four daughters, was raised in an allfemale household and attended a school with 128 girls and 5 boys and l have absolutely no understanding of this gender issue, as l simply do not see it as an issue. We are all 100% equal – end of. In fact, l see women as more able in far more jobs than men.

I say to my daughters that they are not equal to men and they would verbally attack with such gusto that it warms my heart.

With the next generation of girls coming through, l fervently hope that one day there will be no need for this magazine and l for one will be delighted to announce cessation of publication but until then, we must fight for change – not next year or in the next decade but NOW.

If women opened businesses at the same rate as men, it would be worth over £250 billion to the UK economy!!

Alison Rose

67

E DUC AT ION

WOMEN@

68

This year, Fortune Magazine ranked Hilton number one in their list of “The 100 Best Companies to Work For.” As a global business, Hilton pays attention to creating a positive company culture, and this includes taking the issue of gender equality very seriously.

Earlier in 2019, the business hosted its largest ever Women@Hilton event which was attended by around 3,000 employees in 150 locations across the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. The event, held in line with International Women’s Day, was themed #BalanceforBetter. The objective was to empower all Team Members to play a part creating a truly inclusive culture, through a series of panel debates, inspirational speakers and practical sessions.

At the end of the event, Team Members were encouraged to write down their personal #BalanceforBetter pledge, highlighting what they commit to doing to help build a more inclusive working environment for all.

The London headline speaker was Melissa Di Donato, one of the UK’s leading female technology executives and the CEO of SUSE, the multinational,

open-source software company, who gave an inspirational talk on the challenges she has faced and overcome, and the importance of championing women to reach their full potential.

Melissa said, “I realised only a few years ago that being a woman in technology and a woman in business was an anomaly. All of a sudden, I looked around and wondered where all the women had gone! That made me want to stay in, strive for more in my career and in life and to try to be an example and role model for those around me. I took this very seriously – even more so after my daughter was born.

“In my world, men tend to be more dominant but I shine as much as I can by having a voice and an opinion, and I show up. I don’t sit quietly in the corner but I do not overwhelm a room either. It is a fine balance. Getting into the room is half the battle.

Raising my hand and speaking is important and it allows me to be seen. Whilst men may be more dominant, I like to stand out with an opinion that is fact based and offers value and viewpoint.” ◗ brightonmet.hilton.com

DY NA M N IC

PROFIL E

Katja Harjanne Laura Hogbin

Commercial Director Hilton Brighton Metropole “I manage the departments that bring in the revenue, including the sales team, conferencing and events, marketing and reservations. I look at the long term plans for the hotel and put strategies in place to ensure we achieve the targets.

“Our business is spilt into three revenue streams: conferencing, corporate and leisure guests. We are the largest conference hotel in the South East outside London, so the conference trade is very important.

One week there could be 500 guests staying three days for a conference, a wedding and a food or drink festival, no two weeks are ever the same! The corporate team are always on the road meeting potential clients or attending trade events, such as the Meeting Show at Wembley or IMEX in Frankfurt.”

Director of Operations Hilton Brighton Metropole “I oversee the Metropole Bar, kitchens, facilities (maintenance), housekeeping, conferences and banqueting, and the front of house team.

“It is a customer-facing role and I need to be available for the hotel guests and all team members. As the hotel is known as the grand old lady, due to its age and size (340 guests rooms and 33 event spaces) being in lots of places at once can be quite a challenge!

However I do know this building very well having started my career here as a casual waitress in the Conference and Banqueting department 20 years ago. Now I am adapting to understand how differently the many teams work and see where I can make improvements.

I need to stay a step ahead of the guests and clients, and know where we can make the experience better.”

69

E DUC AT ION

WHAT I HAVE LEARNT

70

ANEELA ROSE

DY NA M IC

I N T E RV I E W

Aneela Rose set up Rose Media Group which has a diverse roster of clients across the UK. As well as running a successful PR and Marketing company, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, Aneela is a World Champion Power Lifter. ◗ I juggle work, my family and competitive sport, but I never resent the long hours or having to manage so much. I have learnt I need all three. I enjoy being a businesswoman, a mother and keeping healthy. They are like three cogs – if I removed one it would all break down as they are all essential and interlinked. ◗ I enjoy leading, but I relish being in the company of people who can educate and inspire me. At work I’m the leader, and home I am mum, wife, sister and everyone wants a piece of me. In sport, it is me who relies on others, which is a release for me. My trainers know more about the sport than I do, and I rely on their advice.

◗ It’s not all about work. At the agency I always stress that everyone has a life outside work as it is important that people have a balance in their lives. I like to take an interest as it should never be all about work. ◗ I learnt to do what I am good at. I always wanted to have my own shop, so my husband and I opened a boutique in The Lanes in Brighton. I loved it, but we didn’t make any money. One quiet morning, I wrote a press release for a friend who owned a business. I worked out I earned more writing the release than I sold in the shop. It was then that I knew I should concentrate on PR.

◗ The most important lesson I have ever learnt is to trust my staff and listen to advice. Being a business owner and a parent is very difficult for women. When I was pregnant with my first child, I decided I wanted to spend time with my new baby. My husband believed I should let my staff step up and run the business while I was away. I didn’t listen and recruited someone to run my business. The new manager did not understand how we worked and lost me key clients as well as two members of staff. It was a lesson I have never forgotten.

71

DY NA M IC

I N T E RV I E W

◗ I learnt that honesty and enthusiasm can win the day.

When I first started my company I heard that Amberley Castle was looking for someone to take on their PR. When they asked if I had experience in the hotel or luxury sector, I told the truth and said I hadn’t. But they recognised my drive and determination to succeed, and they offered me the job at the interview.

Being a business owner and a parent is very difficult for women

72

◗ I have learnt that determination goes a long way. My javelin coach suggested I tried powerlifting and I found I had an aptitude for it. But my success in the sport has been down to hard work and focus. It’s not easy to train and keep to the diet when you are tired, but I have proved that the hard work pays off. I am AWPC (Amateur World Powerlifting Congress) World Powerlifting Champion 2018 and the ABPU (Amateur British Powerlifting Union) British Powerlifting Champion & Record Holder 2019. In May, I broke two British powerlifting records in the Masters 56kg bodyweight class.

◗ I have realised I have the power to inspire others. I have never felt the need to prove myself in business as an Asian woman, but funnily enough I do have some sense of this in sport. I am very proud to be, I believe, the first British Asian female to win gold within the federation. People pick up on this more in powerlifting. It is still quite a male dominated sport. I’m physically petite and my Asian heritage all present challenges but I am breaking down some barriers which I hope inspires others. I’ve been invited by a few schools to do motivation talks which I’m looking forward to. ◗ rosemediagroup.co.uk

DY NA M N IC

PROFIL E

SUCCESS THROUGH TRANSFORMATION Emprana energises the workplace

The name Emprana is inspired by two words - empowerment and prana - Sanskrit for energy. The founders of Emprana believe the future of workplace wellbeing is: ◗ Improving physical, emotional and mental health ◗ Increasing performance through self development

◗ Creating calmer supportive environments ◗ Transforming how people feel Having previously encountered and overcome numerous stressful challenges at work, Emprana Founders Angela Rigby and Tara Mehmet credit their remarkable

Angela Rigby Angela ran a business in the restoration industry dealing with people whose lives had been disrupted by fire, flood and accidental damage.

Relentless, pressured, stressful, traumatic, Angela found herself constantly on edge, fatigued and with back pain. Relaxation eluded her and the mind was constantly overloaded.

A vicious circle that just wouldn’t stop but that all changed when a chance conversation led her to learn about “energy” based techniques.

She says: “I can’t begin to tell you the difference it made to my health, physically stronger, emotionally calmer, I could think straight and my energy levels skyrocketed”

transformations to a highly effective tried and tested energy system of breathing, power generating exercises, pranic treatments and advanced meditation.

Meet the ladies energising the workplace.

Tara Mehmet Alongside business partner DJ Sasha, Tara ran a successful global business managing DJ’s.

Travelling the world in private jets, staying in luxury hotels, rubbing shoulders with celebrities and overseeing exclusive gigs at the hottest venues.

However, there was a darker side to this elaborate, pressured lifestyle. The neglect of her physical and emotional health. Tara felt burnt out, irritable, physically unwell and overwhelmed by mounting stress.

Searching for better health, greater happiness and inner peace, Tara discovered a simple yet powerful and effective system. The techniques not only empowered her to resolve internal issues but had created a pathway for Tara to transform her life. ◗ To find out more about Emprana: Email: info@emprana.co.uk Web: www.emprana.co.uk Social: @emprana_uk

73

DY NA M IC

I N T E RV I E W

Order of the French Empire

Meet Rosemary French OBE, the Chair of Dynamic’s Steering Committee.

Rosemary was awarded the OBE for services to women in business. Read on to find out more about her successful and inspirational business career.

Where did your business journey begin?

After leaving Edinburgh University with a Masters in Sociology I applied for jobs with some national retail brands. Marks & Spencers turned me down for not wearing a suit, despite the fact I was wearing a smart M&S blouse and skirt. I had never had a suit and certainly could not afford one! I have never forgotten that message about first appearances and I have rigorously worn smart matching suits to work, often trouser suits which helped remove the element of sexual differentiation. My message was ‘don’t treat me any differently’.

I joined Fine Fare at an exciting time when large superstores were arriving in the UK and we were having a big battle with Tesco for retail sites. I was involved in my first year in many new store openings across the country and learned to live out of a suitcase.

74

Can you recount some highlights of your business career?

I am very proud of winning the contract to design, manufacture and sell Harry Potter stationery and school bags. As MD of a stationery manufacturing

business, I remember negotiating with Warner Bros Publishing for the UK, European and Antipodes license. All we had was this little book with one sketch of Harry with his forehead scar.

I am also hugely proud of leading the team of editors and copywriters to write, design, and print the best selling book called the People’s Princess within seven days of Diana’s death. We were awarded the Guinness world record for the fastest published book. Our sales team sold 4 million copies worldwide for the first print run which we had to print simultaneously in four continents.

The most poignant highlight was when I was the over-thecounter medicines Buying Manager at Boots. I was called into the boss’s office to meet the UK’s Chief Medical Officer. He asked me to sign a confidential agreement and then instructed me to stock up our warehouses and shops with prophylactics in ridiculously great numbers over the next six months. Buyers are CEO of the Gatwick Diamond Initiative, 2012.

DY NA M IC

I N T E RV I E W

75

Above: MD of Hunt & Broadhurst Ltd, 1989 Far left: CEO of Surrey Business Link Ltd, 2006 Left: Group Manager Healthcare, Boots plc 1983

76

normally rewarded for keeping stock low, so retail managers immediately complained about my idiotic ordering.

I spent the next six months working with the London Rubber Company placing orders of such a number that they had to work 24 hours a day. We also developed a Durex especially for the gay community which was a first.

Of course, it turned out that this was all in preparation for the famous Aids Tombstone campaign in 1986. The stock disappeared within two weeks! In later years standing in front of 200 grey haired members of the CBI to speak at their conference, I broke the ice by saying that I had bought more Durex than the whole of the room had or will do in their lifetimes!

Another exciting time was being heavily involved in the breakdown of the net book agreement (NBA) which was a cosy 1899 arrangement to allow publishers to set the retail price of books and to collectively refuse to stock anyone that tried to

discount. I was at the Pentos Group which owned Dillon’s Bookstores and my boss fervently wanted to break the NBA. I had to make the case to the press and for the first time my face appeared in the nationals. This was also my first job on the main board of a publicly listed company. I was the first and only woman and I did find it difficult when the men would adjourn to the loo and I would miss out on valuable conversations.

Marks & Spencer turned me down for not wearing a suit, despite the fact I was wearing a smart M&S blouse and skirt

You became an MD of a business of 120 people in your early 30s.

How did you manage to achieve this?

I was just in the right place at the right time. I was headhunted to be put forward for the job of MD of a £20m turnover stationery manufacturing company in Oldham. The employer said they already had a strong manufacturing team, but they wanted a leader who could capitalise on their strengths and take them into new markets and national retailers. I fitted the bill and got the job. The chairman then told me six months later that the company was being put up for sale to avoid an unwelcome takeover bid for the holding group.

My proudest achievement was having the temerity to walk alone into 3i Manchester with no appointment to ask for financial backing to lead an MBO of the company. After the usual venture capital due diligence, I was so proud as a 34 year old women to be offered £13.64m by 3i to buy the

DY NA M IC

I did find it difficult when the men on the board would adjourn to the loo and I would miss out on valuable conversations company as an MBO in 1989. I knew nothing about venture capital nor mezzanine finance, but boy do you learn quickly, when you need to mortgage your own home to show your commitment.

Why do you think you were awarded an OBE in 2014?

I am guessing it was because of my work in the 2000’s as the MD of Business Link Surrey when I hassled the DTI to change the way they were asking the Business Links to give business support.

They scoffed at my suggestion that many women think about starting business in a different way and for different reasons to men and have the right to fitfor-purpose business support.

They even suggested that I was being discriminatory with public money!

I stormed out of the meeting and set about putting on a day’s workshop which would include inspirational female speakers women who had started businesses with other mothers at the school gate, in their dining room, between baby feeds and picking the kids up from school, and so on. We also provided workshops on finance, the newly emerging internet, sales and marketing, and employing staff.

I asked my events manager to plan an event for up to 30 women but over 100 women wanted to

attend and we had to book a much larger room. The day was a great success and we started holding more of them.

With the Labour government appointing a women’s minister, Jacquie Smith, the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) were asked to fund Business Links women starting or leading a business. In our region, the number of women owned businesses in the South East increased from around 16% to 22%.

Can you recall the occasion?

You are never told either who nominated you nor on what basis.

I N T E RV I E W Nor has anyone every owned up to nominating me. All I got was a short letter saying I was being awarded it for ‘Services to Women in Business’ which created hoots of laughter from my husband who asked when I had been a call girl!

Then there was the difficulty in keeping it a secret from my family and friends.

I was one of the last groups of people being awarded honours that was given by the Queen at Windsor Castle. I was completely overawed by the splendour of the rooms and by the ceremony. I decided that the three people to accompany me to the ceremony would be other successful women: my sister who owns and runs a large dental practice, my school friend who is an HR Director with a national retailer and my friend from Boots who was now a Marketing Director for a very large corporate group. I felt that all four of us should get an award for services to women in business and I was representing all of us.

Left: Receiving the OBE at Windsor Castle, 2014

NEXT MONTH Rosemary French on sexism, childcare barriers and creating a level playing field.

77

E DUC AT ION

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Review by Health Editor Tess de Klerk

78

Scuba divers will be familiar with the function of hyperbaric chambers but have you heard of their use in the health and wellness world? As it is used by professional athletes, footballers, long-distance runners and jockeys, l thought l should investigate.

Those in the know profess numerous benefits in using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as an alternative health aid in treating various conditions and this therapy has become popular as an anti-ageing and biohacking tool. The premise of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in functional medicine is based on the fact that oxygen is vital for life and that higher oxygen levels in the body will translate to better health and increased vitality. HBOT increases the amount of oxygen your blood can carry. So far so good.

During an HBOT session, one enters a chamber in which air pressure is increased by up to three times higher than the norm.

Under these conditions, the lungs take in 10-15 times more oxygen than usual and this oxygen is then diffused into the blood.

Blood carries oxygen to our cells where cellular respiration allows cells to harness energy to perform vital functions.

After hearing of HBOT and exploring the science behind it I decided to contact Dr Robert Pender of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Centre in London. Dr Pender, a trained physiotherapist, has a long and impressive history within Hyperbaric Medicine and has been involved in the rehabilitation of, amongst others, elite sports professionals. After speaking with him though, it was clear to me that he is most proud of his achievements in helping ordinary people on their journey to improve and restore health and wellbeing.

The Therapy Centre in South Molton street is inviting and

DY NA M IC

It was after the fifth session that I can undoubtedly say that I felt energised my nerves were soon settled as Dr Pender listened intently and answered all of my questions.

During an initial consultation medical history is taken and the number of sessions suggested, depending on a client’s needs. My main concerns were persistent, low energy levels and frequent infections. Dr Pender suggested 10 sessions and I decided to have my first session there and then.

Initially, I was afraid that the oxygen chamber might feel claustrophobic but it was spacious and calming. As the air

pressure was increased my ears popped and the feeling was akin to being on a plane during ascent and descent. It equalised soon enough and I found myself lying in a comfortable chamber with nothing to do but relax! It wasn’t long before I dozed off and in what felt like no time at all, the chamber was opened and my session was over. During succeeding sessions, I had my phone with me in the chamber but still found myself relaxing so deeply that I chose not to open my inbox!

I felt quite tired after my first session, which I was assured was normal. Following each of my next three sessions I felt rested but, of course, that would be the case after taking time out of my day for a nap in a calming environment.

It was after the fifth session that I can undoubtedly say that I felt energised, not only immediately after the session but continuing into the days after.

I continued with my prescribed number of sessions and I am

H E A LT H

pleased to report an increase in energy and vitality, continuing months after completing my therapy. I have had only one light cold, down from several over similar time periods during the last few years. My complexion also looks more pleasing to me, which would make sense considering how vital an ample supply of oxygen is to skin health.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy does not come cheap but it is a simple, pain-free and noninvasive therapy which l found very effective. ◗ Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy 58 South Molton Street Mayfair, London, W1K 5SL

79

Supercharging your exercise in just 20 minutes!

Health Editor Tess de Klerk tries out Electro Muscle Stimulation ELECTRO MUSCLE STIMULATION TRAINING IS MAKING WAVES FOR BEING THE SWIFTEST OF WORKOUT OPTIONS. BUT DOES IT WORK?

80

The technology of deep electrical muscle stimulation itself isn’t new – physiotherapists have used it for decades to tackle sports injuries and in aiding rehabilitation - but it’s becoming more widely used as a way to build strength, lose weight and increase fitness.

I was made aware of the EMS studio, Bodystreet by an avid fitness

fanatic after complaining, like so many of us, that I just couldn’t find time for the gym. He confessed that he was hardly stepping foot in a gym these days but managed to stay in shape by going for regular 20 minute personal training sessions at his local EMS studio. Only 20 minutes a week! That l could I find time for!

Having booked my initial consultation, I was warmly welcomed by Diana and Charlie at their Worthing Bodystreet branch. An informative body scan to determine factors such as

muscle mass, hydration levels and metabolic age plus an analysis of the results is followed by questions and advice regarding my diet and lifestyle. Charlie clearly knows his stuff and I vow to consider changing some of my deleterious ways!

Next I’m fitted with a specially designed training bodysuit containing electrodes. The suit has been sprayed with warm water to aid conductivity and I expect it to be uncomfortable but Charlie adjusts it to fit snugly. A cable is plugged into my bodysuit, connecting to a stand with a small screen. At this point I’m feeling decidedly nervous – am I about to be shocked into oblivion?

Diana is my personal trainer

DY NA M IC

H E A LT H

>>

Time saving indeed but what does the science say?

for the session and for the next 20 minutes I’m expertly guided through various exercises such as squats and lunges. The electrical impulses start lightly and Diana checks with me before increasing stimulation. At first it all feels a bit odd but I soon get used to it and I ask her to crank it up. Since different body areas are covered by separate electrodes within the suit, one can choose to work certain muscle groups harder than others.

Ideal.

After 20 minutes I feel as if I’ve been through a strenuous workout equivalent to countless miles on the treadmill, and a few circuits of strength training at the gym.

My aim was not to lose weight but to tone and build muscle which I feel was achieved. I found the option of excluding certain muscles, in my case, my tight lower back, helpful as that is something I often found difficult to do with exercise such as yoga or strength training at the gym. I did miss the cardio aspect of ordinary training and EMS alone is probably not a sufficient cardio substitute.

Contrary to my expectations, I enjoyed my workouts and I appreciated how time-efficient it all was. ◗ Bodystreet Worthing, 14 Chapel Road, Worthing, BN11 1BJ, 01903 930 910.

EMS training reaches more muscle fibres than are normally activated during regular exercise and all major muscle groups can be worked at the same time. When combined with deliberate muscle activation exercises during personal training sessions, muscle contractions are stronger and more intense resulting in muscles working harder. Involuntary muscles are also stimulated and EMS is safe for joints and ligaments.

A Korean randomised controlled trial conducted in 2015 exploring whether EMS therapy could reduce abdominal fat in young women concluded that, without modifying exercise or diet, EMS caused significant effects in decreasing waist circumference, subcutaneous fat mass and body fat percentage. Sign me up.

81

B he ot

Y IN LE st LE W B A D e A CR O R e q u r IL , A N DF o n O AV HT UIL up s IG & G area r

R

NE T WORK ING YOGA T R A N Q U I L I T Y | F L E X I B I L I T Y | H E A LT H

YOGA THAT COMES TO YOU NET WORK WITH YOUR FEMALE PEERS WOMEN ONLY Conducted by the Dynamic Health Editor, Tess de Klerk with over 20 years experience.

For more information and to register your interest, contact tess.blissyoga@gmail.com Networking hosted by the Platinum Club.

N E V E R M ISS AN IS S UE OF THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR WOMEN E DUC AT ION

THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR WOMEN

SPIRIT OF THE SEASIDE The Brighton Gin story

NEXT ISSUE OUT 6th Januar y 2020

October 2019 #1

Why we need genuine flexible working TR AVEL FASH ION MOTOR I NG HE ALTH

E DUC AT ION DY NA M IC

Aneela Rose set up Rose Media Group which has a diverse roster of clients across the UK. As well as running a successful PR and Marketing company, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, Aneela is a World Champion Power Lifter.

I N T E RV I E W

◗ I juggle work, my family and competitive sport, but I never resent the long hours or having to manage so much. I have learnt I need all three. I enjoy being a businesswoman, a mother and keeping healthy. They are like three cogs – if I removed one it would all break down as they are all essential and interlinked.

◗ It’s not all about work. At ◗ The most the agency I always important lesson stress that I have ever learnt is to trust my everyone has a life outside work staff and listen as it is important that to advice. Being people have a business owner and a parent is a balance in their lives.

I like to very difficult for women. When I take an interest as it should never was pregnant with my first child, be all about work.

I decided I wanted to spend time with my new baby. My ◗ I learnt to do what husband I am good believed I should let my staff at. I always wanted to have my step up and run the business own shop, so my husband ◗ I enjoy leading, but I and while I was away. relish being I opened I didn’t listen a boutique in The Lanes in the company of people and recruited someone who can in Brighton. to run my I loved it, but we educate and inspire me. business. The new manager At work didn’t make did not any money. One I’m the leader, and understand how we home I am quiet morning, worked and mum, wife, sister and I wrote a press lost everyone release for me key clients as well as two a friend who owned wants a piece of me. In members of staff. It was sport, it is a business. a lesson I worked out I me who relies on others, I have never forgotten. which is earned more writing the release a release for me. My trainers than I sold in the shop. It was then know more about the sport than that I knew I should concentrate I do, and I rely on their advice. on PR.

MICHELLE MONE OBE

1

MY FIGHT TO THE TOP

W H AT I H AV E LEA R NT

70

ANEELA ROSE

LU XU RY

T R AV E L 71

Inside sco op

RELAX AND REWIND ON A THE RIVIER

ions , sleek proport marble finishes materials. All and contemporary are decorated rooms ten treatment of white, with in serene shades evoke the lace that embossed walls gowns, as would of haute couture y spa! for a Givench fitting be nt menu is ole offers Hotel Metrop The Spa treatme treatments in pool, the in design e, including the very best ‘Best Hotel Spa the extensiv d pedicureAwarded the Spa its guests world-renowne omy. What’s more, World Luxury Monaco’ at the ole and gastron the Givenchy Spa in from to the stars, Bastien the Hotel Metrop g of foot specialist Awards 2019, Pedi:Mani:Cure Hotel unveilin brought another level of is a Leading Gonzalez whose April 2017 this to for possibly e Monte-Carlo most daily the and eleganc and one of studio is open . sophistication of the World, pedi you’ll ever bolthole. es in Monaco best holistic Riviera address the ous French treat, book House prestigi with the the ultimate ce from another A collaboration ole have. For Metropole’, a A luxury residen atmosphere and of Givenchy, the Spa Metrop of in for the ‘Signature and body third era with a unique hotel 90 minute face y is only the spa retreat, the a sumptuous 19th by Givench world. Designed by bespokent which will leave you former a the in treatme and is located within the Carré d’Or its kind t Didier Gomez, feeling blissfully restored in ed interior architec century palace integrat ranean. lly the Mediter g radiant. the spa is beautifu overlooking with stunnin and suites to the into the hotel From the 126 rooms ing nts and swimm three restaura

the Givenchy and glamour of Enjoy the glitz pole Monte-Carlo Spa at Hotel Metro

le Left: Metropo Odyssey pool le MC Joel Top: Metropo t Robuchon restauran le Above: Metropo Spa interior

the urge to leave If you do feel Port surroundings, these plush walk a 10 minute us Hercules is there are numero es away, whilst chic boutiqu restaurants and three minutes to explore within off the hotel’s of stepping ick driveway. herringbone-br off on a private d whiske Be

The secret to elegance is being yourself nchy Hubert de Give

l touch, For a really persona own their guests can select spa treatments playlist during of the special and choose one y fragrances L’Atelier de Givench a tissue onto which is sprayed e of your bathrob in the pocket you throughout to remain with the stay.

◗ How to get there: and the Fly into Nice Airport car, by transfer is just 19km by helicopter or arrive in style the minutes. des Roses with transfer in just 10 tour of Le Clos take Sommelier, or hotel’s Head says: to the majestic trip me ◗ Go Bespoke of a night-ti retreat, Museum This is a great weekend Oceanographic complete weekend isn’t girlie a here for perfect Monaco. A stay the ‘Flop and Drop’ at least one of or for a romantic without trying the batteries and restaurants headed trip to recharge of hotel’s three atching.

Robuchon, two do some people-w up by chef Joël n-starred. which are Micheli ous restaurant ◗ Prices from: Visit his eponym inspired cuisine, 360 Euros per night. for Mediterranean- first Japanese on’s or try Robuch the Bespoke for renowned for ◗ Contact Go restaurant ‘Yoshi’ and availability. and the best sakés. the latest offers freshest sashimi want to miss You also won’t n lounging at e spending an afternoo hotel’s poolsid ‘Odyssey’, the ion a fresh renovat restaurant given designed by the mural special and ld. late Karl Lagerfie

99

98

Subscribe NOW at www.platinumpublishing.co.uk

Self care can help you be the best Camille Pierson, Founder of The Float Spa 84

Many women feel tremendous pressure to be perfect and excel in all areas of their life. However, being a great mum, keeping the house and your appearance how you want it and having a highly successful career all at the same time is exhausting. Even the most dynamic woman will run the risk of burning out if they try to sustain that level of being the very best at everything. People will say ‘take it easy and stop being such a perfectionist’, but we know that usually isn’t an option.

Fortunately, it is possible to do it all - if you practice self-care.

WHAT WOMEN DO

It’s a fact that women do more unpaid work than men even when they also have full time and demanding jobs. Not only is this physically taxing, there is also the emotional labour to consider, resulting in stress and anxiety.

The Mental Health Foundation reported that women are twice as likely to suffer anxiety as men and the added emotional load is a likely cause.

Put all this physical exertion, emotional stress and worry together and it can lead to burnout.

DY NA M IC

H E A LT H

The Role of Self Care

WHAT IS BURNOUT?

There is more to burnout than just being exhausted or feeling very stressed. People experiencing burnout can feel incredibly drained and suffer physical symptoms, but they also feel very demotivated, struggle to concentrate and lose their creativity. It isn’t just a high work load and stress which causes it though. Feeling unsupported and unappreciated can be big contributors to burnout as can feelings of being treated unfairly.

Although people generally experience burnout through their jobs, it can also happen through family life.

Burn out signs include becoming withdrawn from family and friends, getting into bad habits like drinking too much, not eating properly and not getting enough sleep. A general feeling of dissatisfaction with things is another symptom of burnout as is being continually preoccupied with work or other things that need doing. ◗ www.thefloatspa.co.uk

Women who dedicate so much of their time to caring for their family and/or working extremely hard in their profession can end up sacrificing their own needs.

Adding a little self-care into your life can stave off burnout.

People think self-care needs to involve large amounts of time and being selfish but that is not the case.

Self-care starts with just being aware of your own wellbeing and accepting that it’s important to keep you performing at your best. That leads to a willingness to dedicate small amounts of time and brain space to looking after yourself. What constitutes really effective self-care will be different for everyone but the important part is taking time out, even if it’s only 10 to 15 minutes a day, to do something that allows you to totally relax and let go. Some things people do to relax for a short time are: ◗ Meditation ◗ Yoga ◗ Breathing exercises

◗ Reading ◗ Gardening ◗ Chatting to a good friend you can totally relax with ◗ Walking or running ◗ Crafting Basically, anything you can do that stops your mind worrying about various things and gets you away from the demands put upon you will be very beneficial in supporting your mental health and preventing burn out.

The Float Spa in Hove offers classes and services which are absolutely ideal for preventing burnout. Our yoga class timetable is packed from the early morning until the evening with yoga classes to maximise mental and physical wellbeing.

Floatation therapy allows you to relax completely for an hour while floating free from the ravages of gravity.

Other services include a variety of massage types, complementary therapies and an infrared sauna to help relaxation and detoxing.

85

PROMOT IONA L

FE AT U R E

Why workplace wellbeing matters WHAT IS WORKPLACE WELLBEING?

By Alison Wilkins and Joe Walls, founders of the Brighton Wellbeing Company

Workplace wellbeing is the art of engaging healthy behaviours to support productive teams and strong business performance.

Encouraging wellbeing at work can help the business: ◗C reate a healthy company culture, ◗ Improve office morale, ◗ Improve staff retention, ◗ Reduce costs, ◗R educe absenteeism and presenteeism.

The workplace is where we spend the majority of our waking day. Invariably, we unconsciously adapt ourselves to work to a business model where wellbeing practices are not actively encouraged. Work/life balance becomes compromised over time and self-care and investment in healthy relationships slips.

Stress and physical tensions become compounded, leaving the individual paying the price with poor health and the business facing costs as a result of increased absenteeism and presenteeism.

OUR APPROACH

Workplace wellbeing encourages businesses and their people to be fit for purpose. To be able to perform daily tasks effectively and efficiently for a healthy bottom line. Functional wellbeing looks beyond the prescriptive approach to wellness, advocating personal responsibility, healthy relationships, invested leaders and a simple engagement model that supports changing behaviours step by step.

The style and approach of a wellbeing strategy may differ from business to business but the ultimate goal remains the same; retain and engage staff, improve productivity and reduce costs.

Even the simplest wellbeing strategy has the ability to improve morale and create change. A monthly massage at work session allows staff to understand the tension their body holds mentally and physically.

It offers the opportunity to signpost company wellbeing services, local wellbeing centres, and creates a buzz in the office.

Our Wellbeing Programs ◗ SIMPLE Get started immediately with a monthly massage@work session to alleviate stress, musculoskeletal problems and improve office morale. Prices start from £200 per month.

86

◗ TRIAL 90 days A 90 day program that identifies the best wellbeing solution for your business. Test interventions and measure responses with our taster sessions, staff surveys, consultation and feedback.

◗ ANNUAL A program delivered over 12 months tackling the key requirements to create a healthier business model. We work with individual staff members, teams, the management and executives.

PROMOT IONA L

FE AT U R E

DY N A M I C R E A D ER O F F ER ◗ Simple Massage@Work £200 (33% saving ) ◗ Trial (90 Days) £1000 (33% saving) ◗ DSE Postural Assessment (1 day) £500 (25% saving) To secure these prices, book before December 30th 2019

◗ Brighton Wellbeing Company is the natural progression for Alison Wilkins and Joe Walls who have over 30 years cumulative experience as wellness professionals. They Brighton Wellbeing Company recognise the need for businesses Font: Century Gothic Grey: K 80 to engage in wellbeing education Yellow: Y 100 M 30 Blue: C 80 within the workplace.

Pink: M 100 Turq: C75 M10 Y20 Green: C50 Y100

OUR SERVICES

Massage at Work DSE Postural Assessments Posture Workshops Consultancy Wellbeing Workshops Staff surveys Coaching with Clean language Management and Leadership Training Community Clean Ups

OUR CLIENTS

Plus Accounting Southeastern Railway GTR Neilson Holidays 15 Below MadgeX and many others

Contact alison@ brightonwellbeingcompany.com Call 07721 639376 www.brightonwell beingcompany.com #daretocare #brightonwellbeingcompany #functionalwellbeing

NEXT MONTH Physical Wellbeing: Why occupational posture is important and interventions that really work.

87

The power of wellness

Are you on the edge of burnout?

Bridgeham Clinic will aim to get your body and mind back to its full potential through a range of holistic and mechanical treatments

88

Jo Strutt, co-owner of Bridgeham Clinic in Manor Royal with her husband Trevor, knows only too well about being a busy businesswoman and juggling work with family.

One of the most common phrases she hears from other women attending appointments at Bridgeham Clinic is, “I have been in pain for such a long time, but I just haven’t had time to do anything about it!”

When a warning light appears in your car you take it to a garage, but how good are you at applying

the same principle to your own body? Bridgeham Clinic offers a variety of services at times to fit around your busy work schedule and are also recognised by many large insurance companies.

Bridgeham can help with everything from physical and health issues to mental health and emotional ailments. Bridgeham takes a holistic approach to health and wellbeing by offering massage, reflexology, acupuncture, nutrition, hypnotherapy, Pranic healing and foot health to complement their mechanical treatments of

DY NA M IC

I feel I have found somewhere professional and safe that I can go to when needed.

I feel I am at the centre of my own care.

Diane R, Office administrator

osteopathy, physiotherapy, Pilates and Garuda.

Osteopathy and physiotherapy catches aches, pains and niggles before they turn into big problems!

Lower back aches, stiff knees and ankle joints, hip or knee replacement preparation and recovery along with pregnancy or return to work post maternity leave can all be supported at the

clinic. Neck and shoulder pains can be eradicated, menopausal hormones harmonised and your nutrition requirements addressed.

Pilates and Garuda can keep you pain free by reconnecting you with your body and your movement awareness, whilst relieving stress and improving your confidence in how you hold yourself at work, rest and play.

H E A LT H

They give awareness tips to help you maintain good posture in their Pilates 1:1 movement sessions and group classes.

Acupuncture is a fantastic way of supporting working women who travel as it can help with getting you back to your routine quickly post jet lag. If you are always on the go, it can boost your energy levels and help with sleep. If you are suffering with gynaecological issues, migraines, headaches, stress or not being able to switch off, these are manageable with acupuncture. As a balancing, preventative treatment to keep you in optimum health, it’s perfect.

Each treatment is formulated to meet your individual needs keeping you at your best for meeting the challenges of business.

The power of a positive mindset can be life changing. Women in business all around the world use hypnosis and other therapies to empower and enhance their own incredible talents; to help let go of negative thoughts and demons.

You can learn to use your own imagination to create change. If you struggle with speaking at meetings or making presentations, anxiety is probably the underlying cause.

There are many coping techniques you can learn to break old habits and allow you the opportunity for new incredible life adventures and a boost in confidence.

89

DY NA M IC

H E A LT H

I have been in pain for such a long time, but I just haven’t had time to do anything about it!

90

Nutrition is so important for physical and mental wellbeing.

Bridgeham’s experience is that they have seen an increase in the number of people showing signs of Adrenal Fatigue. This 20th century condition has come about due to people trying to fit so much into their day and being perfect at everything they do. Eating the right foods and at the right time can make a huge difference to how we feel. Not eating regularly or choosing the wrong foods can generate a blood sugar roller coaster and if your blood sugar drops you might feel tired, irritable and depressed.

Eating regularly and choosing foods that release energy slowly will help to keep your sugar levels steady. High stress levels

can affect many body systems and can cause your hormones to get out of balance. Looking at your current diet and your health concerns, will help them create a personalised nutrition plan that works for you and your lifestyle.

Make the time and go and check your warning light! Your Broken to Brilliant journey starts by unleashing your body’s true potential and revealing your real self. Knowing that wherever you set your sights, Bridgeham will be with you all the way.

◗ Contact Bridgeham Clinic 01293 542245 info@bridgeham.com www.bridgeham.com

“I cannot begin to tell you just how valuable my visits to Bridgeham are. I never fail to leave in a much better place physiologically and psychologically. I have learned so much about my condition and can now make better choices than ever. All the team are sensitive to their client’s situations and employ joined up thinking across disciplines. Could not add enough stars!”

Georgie F, Admin manager “I cannot recommend Bridgeham enough. Amazing people who listen and give you the time needed to help with the symptoms you arrive with... to the relief you leave with.”

Julie F, Personal Trainer

DY NA M IC

H E A LT H

CHANGE HABITS WITH A DRINKCOACH DrinkCoach can help create a healthy work-life balance It’s challenging to achieve a healthy work-life balance, especially when juggling career and home commitments.

It can be easy to get into the habit of turning to alcohol to unwind at the end of a long and busy day, using a drink or two as a shortcut to stress relief.

However alcohol is actually a depressant, so while it may help to cope with feelings of stress in the short-term, in the longer term it can increase anxiety and low mood. Over time, it’s not uncommon to need increasing amounts of alcohol to achieve the same relief from stress.

This was Karen’s* experience, who realised she had developed

an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.

“I was in a high pressure job and felt I deserved to relax with some wine in the evening. It started off innocently enough, switching from work to home life with the help of a glass of wine, but this quickly became two and three and before too long a bottle a night was a regular thing.

“With DrinkCoach I could talk to someone in my own home over Skype and it seemed like a logical choice. I didn’t have to risk being seen and I could book appointments for the evening when I got home from work.

I was nervous at first, but my coach was understanding and I

found that once I started talking I couldn’t stop.

“Now my evenings after work are different. There is no cracking open the bottle of wine while I cook dinner every night and I try to make time for some light exercise to help me transition from work to home mode.” ◗ Visit DrinkCoach.org.uk.

West Sussex residents can enter the code ‘DYNAMIC’ to get your sessions for free.

91

DY NA M IC

ECUAT ION

GIRLS V BOYS

Girls continue to outperform boys in all subjects by the end of primary school in England according to the latest key stage 2 test results published by the Department for Education (DfE).

{at a g l a n c e } Education I Facts and stats

Just 7% of secondary age girls have said that they do more than 60 minutes of daily activity.

The Youth Sport Trust

This year’s A-level results show a clear gender gap in the uptake of STEM subjects including computing, ICT and maths.

70% of girls reached the expected standards in maths, reading and writing, compared with just 60% for boys, widening the gap from 8% last year to 10% this year.

Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ)

(Year 6 Sats)

Worldwide, women are more educated today than at any point in history, but we are still not as educated as men

THE UNIVERSIT Y GENDER GAP

Female school-leavers in England are 35% more likely to apply for university than their male peers.

IN 2017, AROUND 3 IN 4 SCHOOL TEACHERS WERE FEMALE (AROUND 376,300 TEACHERS) gov.uk 2017

Dynamic Education is sponsored by Hurstpierpoint College Excellent all-round education with a strong academic core hppc.co.uk 93

BRINGING THE KIDS TO WORK The North East Surrey College of Technology (Nescot) has an on-site nursery for parents working at the college.

CEO and Principal Frances Rutter explains why this is important.

You have a creche for staff and students at Nescot. Why did you decide to do this, how well has it been received and how much of a difference has it made?

Nestots, our on-site 52 place nursery was already well established when I arrived. It serves staff, students and the wider public in roughly equal numbers and gives both staff and students the opportunity to continue their studies or working day close to their youngsters.

Knowing that your little ones are being looked after in an Ofsted Good nursery, on-site and with great facilities, is a huge reassurance and means that staff can commit to a full working day at college. It is very popular, often with a waiting

list, so we are excited about plans to significantly increase its size next year.

What initiatives would you like to see businesses implement to promote equality of opportunity?

Firstly, to understand that, whilst important, it is not all about women returners but enabling a much wider more diverse workforce. Giving all staff the opportunity to reskill or upskill, adapting working practices to accommodate care responsibilities and where possible adapting the workplace are all major factors in ensuring equal accessibility to the workplace and ultimately, greater productivity.

Excellent all-round education with a strong academic core hppc.co.uk 94

DY NA M IC You have had a long career as Chief or Assistant Chief Executive of Borough councils.

Why the move to education?

It was not a planned move as I was very happy in local government. However, I had previously been a governor at Nescot and understood the great opportunities that the college can give to students so was delighted to be asked if I would consider the role.

Changing sector and to some extent career at age 50 was challenging but incredibly rewarding and has given me a new lease of life. It is especially energising to be working in an environment with young people who are enjoying their time at college and looking forward to great careers.

What differences did you find working in these sectors?

There are many similarities between the sectors; leading large organisations usually comes back to people and organisational culture. If you can get those right you’ve won half the battle.

The main difference in working in a ‘non-political sector’ is it is often easier to get things done at pace. The worlds of Further and Higher Education are constantly changing so agility and the ability to react and adapt quickly are essential.

E DUC AT ION

Changing sector at age 50 was challenging but incredibly rewarding and has given me a new lease of life How has your training as a solicitor helped your career?

I would like to think it has taught me to think objectively and critically and to understand different and complex issues more quickly. It also teaches you to listen and to see things from a number of perspectives. I think these are great all round life skills to have and they seem to have served me well.

Do councils and the education sector offer a level playing field for women. Has it become a fairer environment over the years?

One of my primary motivations for joining local government as a female lawyer in the days when the legal profession was more male orientated, was to create a more level playing field. In many respects, local authorities have led the way on the equality and diversity agenda.

That decision was over 30 years ago and my more recent experience in the world of education has been similar, I am pleased to say.

What are your ambitions for Nescot?

I have a number of ambitions for Nescot. The first and foremost is for it to be the ‘College of Choice; for Students, Employers and for Staff’ be that for further or higher education. Getting employers, local and regional business really engaged with the college to the extent that they can contribute to and shape our curriculum is key to ensuring that our young people leave college with not just the qualifications but the skills they need to make sure they are ready for the world of work. This is something that employers tell me all the time and we are listening and adapting accordingly. I am also keen to see the college properly embedded in, and supporting local community activity and for the community to view the college as a local asset which is there for all to benefit from and enjoy using. Finally, I want to see the college continuing to grow and flourish and build on the great reputation it already has.

◗ www.nescot.ac.uk

Excellent all-round education with a strong academic core hppc.co.uk 95

SCHOOL’S OUT FOR SEXISM Does the education sector offer a shining example of gender equality?

Tim Manly, Headmaster at Hurst College in Sussex, believes that education possibly offers fairer opportunities than in many other industries.

INTERVIEW BY IAN TREVETT

Hurstpierpoint College had just started a transition from a boy’s schools to a co-educational school when Tim Manly took over as Headmaster in 2005. There are now equal numbers of boys and girls at the school, and the staff room has undergone a similar transformation. For Tim Manly this is a wholly positive evolution.

How has Hurst College changed with the move to a fully coeducational school?

When I arrived, the school had about 30% girls, and now it is 50%, and the common room has changed alongside the change in pupils. I wouldn’t necessarily have described Hurst as being a pioneering school 15 years ago, but now it is very forward-thinking. We have many very strong women, as excellent role models, around the

place. What is interesting is that we have more girls than boys going to university, and more girls than boys entering the professions.

Do you find that there is still a shortage of girls studying STEM subjects?

This generation are less aware of sexism. If you suggested to a girl here that she couldn’t do something, she’d look at you perplexed as she wouldn’t understand why.

Quite rightly. Many of the STEM subjects have women as heads of departments. We do have more girls doing Art or English but it’s now a very close-run thing.

If I have a concern it is that English, the Arts and Humanities are being squeezed by both boys and girls. We have seen a massive shift to facilitating subjects like Maths and Science. Students are

piling into these subjects and it is not always the right decision.

I do believe that if you take Maths at A-level, you need to be a mathematician.

Does education offer a level playing field in terms of careers?

Unfortunately, it does still seem to be more usual for mothers rather than fathers to take time out as parents or to take the role as primary

Excellent all-round education with a strong academic core hppc.co.uk 96

DY NA M IC

carer. As a result, opportunities for women are possibly structurally greater in teaching as you are working to a school year, and the holidays coincide, though this is not to discount the childcare issues during term time. But it is probably more straightforward to be the primary carer for children in an environment where you are on the same rhythm as your child’s school, than if you are having to jet off

E DUC AT ION

round the world or adhere to strict hours.

There are maternity issues with taking time out, and by the age of 35 or so there could be situations where a male has spent more time in the school than a female of the same age (the so-called, motherhood penalty). But in general, teaching is a good profession which looks to promote on the basis of quality rather than just time served. You are in a culture where people are quite liberal and understanding.

I think things have shifted hugely.

There are several generations of women who have been through university and have embarked on careers, so now we should be in the position where more women are directors or in leadership positions.

Women who are ambitious to succeed do make rapid progress.

Many, a majority even, of heads of departments at Hurst are women.

There are more and more women in the higher echelons of education and it’s not the issue it was 10 or 20 years ago. Now it is egalitarian. You don’t become a head of department because of how long you’ve been here - you have to be right for the job. I am always gender and age blind when it comes to recruiting.

Our common room was predominantly male when I started here and now it is half and half, or if anything more women. ◗ www.hppc.co.uk

Excellent all-round education with a strong academic core hppc.co.uk 97

RELAX AND REWIND ON THE RIVIERA Enjoy the glitz and glamour of the Givenchy Spa at Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo

98

Awarded the ‘Best Hotel Spa in Monaco’ at the World Luxury Spa Awards 2019, the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo is a Leading Hotel of the World, and one of the most prestigious addresses in Monaco.

A luxury residence from another era with a unique atmosphere and a sumptuous spa retreat, the hotel is located within a former 19th century palace in the Carré d’Or overlooking the Mediterranean.

From the 126 rooms and suites to the three restaurants and swimming

pool, the Hotel Metropole offers its guests the very best in design and gastronomy. What’s more, the unveiling of the Givenchy Spa in April 2017 brought another level of sophistication and elegance to this French Riviera bolthole.

A collaboration with the House of Givenchy, the Spa Metropole

by Givenchy is only the third of its kind in the world. Designed by interior architect Didier Gomez, the spa is beautifully integrated into the hotel with stunning

marble finishes, sleek proportions and contemporary materials. All ten treatment rooms are decorated in serene shades of white, with embossed walls that evoke the lace of haute couture gowns, as would be fitting for a Givenchy spa!

The Spa treatment menu is extensive, including treatments from world-renowned pedicurefoot specialist to the stars, Bastien Gonzalez whose Pedi:Mani:Cure studio is open daily for possibly the best holistic pedi you’ll ever have. For the ultimate treat, book in for the ‘Signature Metropole’, a bespoke 90 minute face and body treatment which will leave you feeling blissfully restored and radiant.

LU XU RY

T R AV E L

Inside scoop

Left: Metropole Odyssey pool Top: Metropole MC Joel Robuchon restaurant Above: Metropole Spa interior

If you do feel the urge to leave these plush surroundings, Port Hercules is a 10 minute walk away, whilst there are numerous restaurants and chic boutiques to explore within three minutes of stepping off the hotel’s herringbone-brick driveway.

Be whisked off on a private

The secret to elegance is being yourself Hubert de Givenchy

tour of Le Clos des Roses with the hotel’s Head Sommelier, or take a night-time trip to the majestic Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. A stay here isn’t complete without trying at least one of the hotel’s three restaurants headed up by chef Joël Robuchon, two of which are Michelin-starred.

Visit his eponymous restaurant for Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, or try Robuchon’s first Japanese restaurant ‘Yoshi’ renowned for the freshest sashimi and the best sakés.

You also won’t want to miss spending an afternoon lounging at ‘Odyssey’, the hotel’s poolside restaurant given a fresh renovation and special mural designed by the late Karl Lagerfield.

For a really personal touch, guests can select their own playlist during spa treatments and choose one of the special L’Atelier de Givenchy fragrances which is sprayed onto a tissue in the pocket of your bathrobe to remain with you throughout the stay. ◗ How to get there: Fly into Nice Airport and the transfer is just 19km by car, or arrive in style by helicopter transfer in just 10 minutes. ◗ Go Bespoke says: This is a great weekend retreat, perfect for a girlie weekend or for a romantic ‘Flop and Drop’ trip to recharge the batteries and do some people-watching. ◗ Prices from: 360 Euros per night. ◗ Contact Go Bespoke for the latest offers and availability.

99

LU XU RY

T R AV E L

TAILOR- MADE TR AVEL Introducing luxury travel specialists, Go Bespoke, who provide experiences for the business traveller to the luxury holiday maker

Go Bespoke will be sharing their expertise on inspiring destinations and top travel tips in each issue of Dynamic. The company is a small team of four female professionals who all bring invaluable experience to the business which was founded in 2013 by Director, Louisa Tubman.

Go Bespoke outlines four key reasons why booking with an independent travel agent can make planning your holiday or business travel a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Why use an independent travel expert ◗ NEW

OPENINGS AND EXPERIENCES

◗ PERSONAL SERVICE Working with your own travel expert who listens to your ideas and helps you navigate the numerous options available can potentially save you money and hours of research.

100

Go Bespoke has its finger on the pulse when it comes to the hottest openings, new places to go and under-the-radar experiences. We also know how amazing places can look on the likes of Instagram, but sometimes they might not actually be the right fit for you – we can help you make these choices. ◗ ADDED VALUE We aim to give you a little something back when you book, whether it’s an added perk at your hotel, a private transfer or a special experience during your

trip. We often can’t compare with the pricing advertised on some booking sites but what we do have is excellent supplier relationships and the ability to negotiate on your behalf. ◗ FINANCIAL SECURITY We are fully bonded and accredited by The Travel Trust Association (TTA) which is the only travel network in the UK to guarantee 100% financial protection to the consumer. This ensures that you can have total confidence, knowing that the money you are spending is safe and protected.

Leading independent luxury travel agent Â

Travel done beautifully Designing tailor-made holidays since 2013 +44 (0) 20 8935 5779 // info@gobespoketravel.com // www.gobespoketravel.com

TR AVEL NE WS Travel snippets from around the world

WHAT TO BOOK NOW

Six Senses Samui

102

Six Senses Samui is located on the north-eastern tip of Koh Samui, surrounded by natural vegetation and just a 15 minute drive from Samui International Airport. Inspired by a Thai fishing village and nestled on a gently sloping headland with panoramic views out to the Gulf of Thailand, the resort has just 66 villas and feels wonderfully off-the-beaten-track.

Enjoy jungle drives, boat trips and award-winning dining plus younger

guests can join a wide selection of activities including treasure hunts, Thai boxing or traditional craft lessons such as batik, coconut or rock painting. Take advantage of 30% off bookings between January 6th to December 22nd 2020. Valid for stays of four nights or more. â—— Prices from ÂŁ295 per night.

Contact Go Bespoke for further information on 020 8935 5779.

DY NA M IC

T R AV E L

BA’S NEW CLUB SUITE BUSINESS-CLASS SEAT British Airways has welcomed its first Airbus A350 at Heathrow Airport, featuring the airline’s new Club Suite business-class seat. The airline is due to take delivery of 18 A350s, with four joining its fleet before the end of 2019 and the first A350 will enter service on the Heathrow-Madrid route with long-haul flights starting soon after, including routes to Dubai, Toronto, Tel Aviv and Bangalore. The new seat offers 40% more storage than the previous businessclass offering, and includes Wifi, a vanity unit and mirror, and an 18.5 inch in-flight entertainment screen.

IT’S TIME TO BOOK YOUR

Get into the holiday spirit with a magical weekend at the iconic outdoor Christmas market in Frankfurt, one of the largest and most beautiful in Germany, set on St Paul’s Square on the Römerberg.

The market dates back to 1393 and is now an incredible Winter Wonderland, including more than 200 stalls full of festive fare, an art exhibition as well as delicious yuletide specialities and the traditional fairground attractions.

If you’re big on the festive season, you won’t want to miss the official opening on 25th November at which you can also enjoy sing-along Christmas carols led by The Frankfurt Opera.

PICTURE CREDIT: DESIGN HOTELS

EUROPEAN HOLIDAY MARKET

◗ Go Bespoke recommends: Stay at the stylish Gerbermühle on the banks of the Main River – double rooms from 117 Euros per night. ◗ Dates: 25th November – 22nd December 2019.

Open every day 10am-9pm (11am-9pm on Sundays). ◗ Location: Römerberg, St Paul’s Square, Mainkai (Main Quay), Hauptwache and Friedrich-Stoltze-Square

One for your Bucket List With its brand new, custom-built aircraft set to take flight in 2021, Four Seasons Private Jet has released two new itineraries for its inaugural season. “Remote Wonders” and “Ancient Explorer” will add new destinations to the once-in-a-lifetime itineraries including Jordan, Egypt, Easter Island, and Angkor Wat, as well as stops at two new Four Seasons properties in Athens and Madrid. Guests will travel aboard an all-new private jet, fully customised by Four Seasons. The A321LR aircraft features a spacious lounge area; and 48 customhandcrafted seats that extend to lie fully flat and are paired with plush ottomans, and that provide 6.5 feet of personal space.

◗ Prices start at £135,000pp based on double occupancy.

N E W O PEN I N G S Experimental Group have unveiled two new additions to their growing portfolio. Established by three childhood friends, the Group started with speakeasies in Paris and New York and have expanded to restaurants and hotels, a beach club in Ibiza and now an agroturismo in Menorca and a boutique hotel opening in Venice. ◗ Perfect for a long weekend, prices start at £200 per night with an exclusive opening offer – call the team at Go Bespoke for more information on 020 8935 5779.

103

FA SH ION

The new way to do work wear Refresh your work wardrobe this autumn/ winter with looks inspired by the runway.

BY KATE MORTON In the past fashion has had a habit of becoming a signifier of a woman’s status in the workplace, however with the parameters of our working environments changing, officeappropriate wardrobe rules have also shifted.

Power dressing was a phrase originating from 1970s America and by the 1980s, women were dressing for success. It was power suits with shoulder pads, cinched waists and boxy, bold tailoring.

Moving through the decades, and eighties-era power dressing is no longer standard. Women want to

feel stylish when they dress and most importantly, feel comfortable in what they are wearing in their day-to-day lives with wearable wardrobe staples that are timeless in style. And remember, you don’t always have to be suited and booted.

On the autumn/winter 2019 catwalks we saw tailored and oversized camel coats, boots with pointed toes, square toes and block heels, colourful prints, ankle skimming dresses, tartan, florals, knitwear and statement bags.

Victoria Beckham sent models

THE ACCESSORY

The luxurious travel tote just got stylishly techy. Packed with super cool features with the professional travelling woman in mind, the Smart Tech Travel Handbag features Bluetooth® connectivity providing you access to proximity alerts so you never lose your handbag again. It also comes equipped with a biometric fingerprint lock so that only you can access the contents of your bag along with a wireless charger so you can charge your phone and iPad whilst on the go.

104

Smart Tech Travel Handbag £345 fifthandblue.com

down the catwalk in wrap dresses, skirts fitted over the knee and wide-legged trousers. There was geometric patterns, checks, chains, and rich vibrant colours.

Burberry explored its rich British heritage with ‘Tempest’, Riccardo Tisci’s new runway collection which oozed contemporary tailoring, embellishments and Italian silk.

With a nod to the catwalk, here are our key pieces for office outfit inspiration. Not only can they be worn right now but they’ll also work for your transition from autumn/winter into spring.

FA SH ION THE DRESS

Dresses are having a moment this fall. They were all over the catwalk in all shapes, lengths and prints. It’s a wardrobe essential and will take you from a breakfast meeting to evening drinks.

Aubery Dress £129 hobbs.co.uk

THE BELT

Animal prints are back. Leopard, zebra and croc have found their way into our wardrobes this season. Cinch this season’s must-have dress in at the waist with a big leather buckled belt.

Black Croc Belt £35 Dune.co.uk

THE BOILER SUIT

A quirky alternative to a suit, stay on trend with a utility boiler suit.

Fast becoming the piece of the season, utility suits can be dressed up with heels or dressed down with flat boots and will look effortless at work.

Kate MacMahon x Debenhams Utility Boiler Suit £89 debenhams.com

105

FA SH ION THE SILK SHIRT

For a take on the classic shirt, opt for one in this season’s key trend.

Silk shirts, seen at Burberry and Chloe, can be worn with pencil skirts or wide-legged trousers and look perfect on their own or with a jacket.

Geometric Silk Shirt £199 Jaeger

THE BOOT

Whether you live in heels or prefer to style your outfit with a flatter shoe, everyone needs a go-to heel and block heels are your all-round alternative. Comfortable yet stylish, opt for white this season and pair with a floral dress or tartan trouser suit.

Block Heel Ankle Boots £35 marksand spencer.com

THE SHOE

Shoes hit the autumn/winter catwalk in a big way. There were party shoes - all glitter and diamonds - to more practical footwear including ankle boots and trainers. Go from day to evening with these snakeskin print court shoes, complete with a stacked heel for the ultimate in comfort.

Cross Strap Court Shoe £35 wallis.co.uk

106

FA SH ION

THE OVERSIZED COAT

The oversized beige coat is a winter classic, you’ll buy it now but wear it forever. Perfect over a dress or trouser suit, it makes the ideal cover up on chilly days.

You’ll find them all over the high street from Marks and Spencer to Other Stories.

Oversized Wool Pea Coat £795 Raey at matches.com

THE SCARF

The Queen has been wearing them for years so now’s the time to introduce them into your life.

The silk scarf can be used as an accessory (try knotting it around your handbag strap), tied as a pussy bow around the neck, or elegantly placed around the collar of your winter coat.

Burberry Monogram Stripe Print Silk Scarf £290 uk.burberry.com

107

Views and news of all the latest models by Fiona Shafer CEO of HD HUB

Women

&cars

108

Not two words that have always sat well together in the history of the English language. Ridiculous given that most women are car owners today and many of whom absolutely love driving and love cars. And if not, then at the very least we need to know which ones offer easy child access, safety, economy and enough space to stash the mountain of ‘stuff’ that we all need at hand.

Given that women make 80% of the buying decisions in households, I am still utterly amazed and frustrated that most car dealerships have not awoken to this fact.

There are the odd exceptions to this and they are to be applauded.

Just think how much more profitable and respected these dealerships would be if they gave an equal level of customer service to both women and men and how much happier we would all be.

Women should look forward to, and thoroughly enjoy, their (often hard earned) buying experience.

It’s probably one of the simplest commercial equations to understand and yet one that remains incomprehensible for many dealerships. It really is not that hard!

So, having spent the best part of two years bending Maarten’s ear about my displeasure, I was delighted to accept this opportunity to review a variety of cars. In fact, I bit his arm off. I suspect it might have been the quickest acceptance he’s ever had as a Publisher.

So, I hope that I don’t disappoint.

I have based my review on what I look for in a car which I hope will translate for many working women. If it does not hit the spot, then please let us know.

First impressions count I’m afraid. No apologies if that appears shallow. If I look at a car and I get

» GI R LTORQU E

a great gut reaction, then that is an excellent starting point. I like stylish, understated cars without any bling. But rather like meeting a potential partner, whilst they might look great on the outside it is not until you get to know them that you can decide if they are a keeper or are going to be unreliable and let you down.

Next up is reliability, build quality, how fast can it accelerate out of a tight spot and comfort.

Too much technology is lost on me and very distracting. Fancy dashboards don’t do it for me – I am driving a car, not a Boeing 737.

How much of this technology is truly used to the maximum?

Leg room (I am 6ft), decent boot space, great sound system and easy to access especially for the elder members of my tribe – note – don’t buy a SAAB convertible for the latter. I had to take the roof down on more than one occasion to get my grandmother out.

I want to look forward to every driving experience that I have.

I want it to be intuitive, fun, economical and safe with low C02 emissions where at all possible, and do you consider diesel or petrol.

Bearing all of that in mind then, I had the pleasure of test driving the Mercedes AMG E53 Coupe, so what did I think...

Tech stuff Model tested: E-Class E53 AMG Engine: 3.0-litre V6 Power: 435 bhp Speed: 0-60 mph 4.4 seconds Top: 155 mph Economy: 32.5 mpg combined Price from: £64,860 E-Class range from: £36,895 Score: 7/10

109

» GI R LTORQU E

Mercedes-Benz describe their E-Class Coupe range as being ‘just the right balance between athletic style and elegant refinement’ and that it will ‘attract admiring looks’.

It is an important model in their range, aiming to reinstate them at the top of the executive car market. It is offered in four body

YAY

◗ 0-60 in 4.4 secs – great fun and handy for nipping past cyclists on country lanes. ◗ Large boot space – enough to accommodate suitcases, golf clubs, child’s buggy. ◗ Great steering wheel – felt very responsive and safe when in charge of a 435hp engine. ◗ Decent make-up mirrors – as mentioned

styles, 4 door saloon, estate, coupe and convertible. As far as safety is concerned, Mercedes have a superb reputation for such and have one of the highest scores of any manufacturer.

Described by Top Gear as ‘a steller technological statement’ it is clearly a feat of advanced engineering and I have no doubt that hardcore car enthusiasts who love speed will get very excited by it all – it accelerates from 0 – 60 mph

THE VERDICT

by my passenger, sorry, co-pilot. ◗ The less expensive models starting at around £36,000 are popular company cars with lower C02 emissions which is good news on the Benefit in Kind tax front. ◗ It was smooth to drive but you keenly felt the uneven surfaces of country roads.

NAY

◗ It didn’t have quite the WOW factor – yes it was athletic but not particularly elegant. ◗ Neither was getting out of the car unless you want people to know if you shop at M&S or La Perla... ◗ The panoramic “infotainment” was over engineered and hugely distracting. ◗ The interior furnishing quality was disappointingly poor and did not match the exterior.

IN A NUTSHELL

110

in 4.4 sec (which I have to admit was great fun) and is most definitely a fast and sharply responding car.

But I have to admit my heart sank a little when Maarten handed me four pages of features which included the words Cockpit, Racetimer, 64 colour Ambient lighting and infotainment and then informed me that the RRP was £64,860. I feared this experience might be rather wasted on me and you.

It was fast, fun and attracted admiring glances (which is a story for another time) but I won’t be purchasing one anytime soon for my grown up daytime world.

◗ Not easy to connect an iPhone. ◗ No handbook – apparently, you must go online if anything goes wrong (really?)

–not good if you have no signal in the middle of nowhere, a flashing light of some unknown symbol accompanied by an irritating bonging noise and no power to the engine ◗ Red seat belts.

Finance offer based on a Mercedes-Benz Agility agreement. Vehicle condition, excess mileage and othr charges may be payable. 2. Payable if you exercise the option to purchase the car. 3. Includes optional urchase payment, purchase activation fee and retailer deposit contribution (where applicable). *Orders/ redit approvals on selected E-Class Saloon models between 1 July and 30 September 2019, registered by 1 December excluding Mercedes-AMG models. Guarantees may be required. Offer cannot be used in onjunction with any other offer. Some combinations of features/options may not be available. Subject to vailability. Over 18s only. Finance is subject to status and provided by Mercedes-Benz Finance, MK15 BA. Sandown Group is a credit broker and not a lender. Sandown Group is authorised and regulated by he Financial Conduct Authority in respect of regulated consumer credit activity. All New and Approved sed cars sold by any Sandown Mercedes-Benz Retailer is subject to a purchase fee of £129 inc VAT. Prices orrect at time of going to press 07/19. Images for illustrative purposes.ww

The Sandown Group Here at Sandown, our customers are our main priority. We have over 35 years experience in the Mercedes-Benz brand, so we’re proud to call ourselves experts in the field.

Our dedicated team are here to assist with your every need. Whether you’re looking for your next new model, or need a little help maintaining your current pride and joy, we are committed to providing you with the best service possible. We are just as passionate about your vehicle as you are, so when you choose to visit a Sandown retailer, you can rest assured that your experience will be nothing short of first-class.

We have seven retailers throughout Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire located in Basingstoke, Dorchester, Farnborough, Guildford, Hindhead, Salisbury and Poole, each equipped with a friendly and knowledgeable team. So if you’re in need of a service, are searching for your latest vehicle upgrade, or are on the hunt for a fleet of business cars, we’re the people to visit.

We look forward to welcoming you with a smile at your local Sandown Mercedes-Benz retailer soon!

0330 1780038 Mercedes-Benz of Basingstoke Mercedes-Benz of Dorchester Mercedes-Benz of Farnborough Mercedes-Benz of Guildford

www.sandown-group.co.uk Mercedes-Benz of Hindhead Mercedes-Benz of Poole Mercedes-Benz of Salisbury

» GI R LTORQU E  After a long and tear-soaked farewell to the stalwart Defender, it was all for nothing and rather than killing it, they have produced a new version of this champion off-road car.

 I know most of us will never own one but l couldn’t resist a glimpse at the latest Lamborghini hybrid supercar.

807 horsepower and 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds. Oh, it’s also £1.7 million and the entire limited production run has sold out.

I felt the need to pop over to Germany to view all the new metal on show at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Here’s a few of my highlights:

FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW

 Volkswagen jumped on the bandwagon of all-new electric or hybrid cars with this little ID, an all-electric hatchback. It ‘could’ do 341 miles on a single charge and there’s an electric range of VW Microbuses coming soon too.

There has long been debate over whether electric or hydrogen would be our next fuel.

The only problem with hydrogen is stopping it exploding in a crash but it would appear that has been solved by BMW.

 Hyundai have been in the electric car revolution for a while but here is their latest offering with a space-age interior that would look right at home in the Jetsons.

113

I NSPI R I NG

WOM E N

My Inspiration Abigail Owen, Corporate Partner at DMH Stallard, names the women who have inspired her in business.

South East Corporate Lawyer of the Year

114

I couldn’t name just one person as an inspiration – there have been many and they constantly change! The common element they share and that motivates me is general expertise, in whatever form that takes.

I like to see things done properly and precisely; whether it’s gardening, drafting a legal document or a surgeon at work watching a true expert ply their trade is totally inspirational. I try to apply the same principle to everything I approach: do it properly, and get it right first time.

Being a woman in business has often been a challenge, and I am continually inspired by seeing women reaching the pinnacle of their professions. Whether Maggie Thatcher or Angela Merkel in politics, Serena Williams or Rachel Atherton in sport, Tory Burch or Denise Coates in business, there have been plenty of examples over the years that have motivated me to push ahead. Focus, dedication, expertise and sheer hard work can generate success in any sector and are the stimulants that have encouraged me to keep going. The individuals demonstrating those characteristics and providing inspiration are both male and female.

Businesses local to Gatwick are 50% more likely to export than the national average

Gatwick brings global trade opportunities closer

We’re more than just an airport

Fly Premium from London Gatwick to the Americas and Asia.

Our service includes: • Lounge access at selected airports • Premium meal service • Complimentary drinks throughout the flight • State-of-the-art touch screen entertainment system • Complimentary seat reservation at time of booking • 2 checked bags x 20 kg • USB charger and power outlet in your seat • Fast Track at selected airports

Book via your local travel agent or on www.Norwegian.com