THE FESTIVAL OF BUSINESS EXCLUSIVELY FOR WOMEN
APRIL 29TH 2024
THE GRAND BRIGHTON
The UK tech industry is struggling to secure the talent required to make them function. Women, it seems, are the solution.
The most successful entrepreneurs I know are optimistic. It’s part of the job
8 Upfront
The top international news stories involving women in business
22 In The Right Direction
Good news stories from around the world Events
2 Announcing the 2024 Dynamic Festival
30 News of a keynote speaker at the upcoming Brighton Summit Feature
20 Making better use of warehouse spaceIf the UK is not careful, it will soon run out of commercial warehouse space. Dynamic has a few suggestions in how to mitigate this issue
Spotlight
24 Highlighting two female business leaders who ought to get more recognition that they currently receive
40 Tess de Klerk discovers Europe’s best medical spas
12
18 Alison Jones of Kreston Reeves with suggestions on how to make a difference to your profitability
34 Exploring nootropics – ‘brain food’ to you and me Further
36 Laura Ashley-Timms is the co-author of The Answer is a Question Art Scene
38 Kellie Miller discusses the works of Su Jameson What’s On
42 A brief snapshot of art and culture cross Sussex and Surrey
PUBLISHER: Maarten Hoffmann maarten@platinummediagroup.co.uk
EDITOR: Tess de Klerk tess@platinummediagroup.co.uk
MOTORING EDITOR: Fiona Shafer fionas@platinummediagroup.co.uk
COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR: Lesley Alcock lesley@platinummediagroup.co.uk
EVENTS DIRECTOR: Fiona Graves fiona@platinummediagroup.co.uk
EVENTS MANAGER: Žaneta Bealing zaneta@platinummediagroup.co.uk
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SUB EDITOR: Alan Wares alan@platinummediagroup.co.uk
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Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally. It comes from what you do consistently
Marie Forleo, Entrepreneur, Writer and Philanthropist
Welcome to another edition of our passion project. Dynamic Magazine was truly born from the excitement we feel as we witness determined women and girls take their rightful places in this world, demand equality and showcase incredible passion and talent.
Please don’t think that this means that we don’t recognise or appreciate everyone else too - of course we do! But we also love creating this space especially for championing women. Speaking of champions…
ank you for your hard work and passion, Lionesses! In this month’s magazine we take a closer look at their coach, Sarina Wiegman, who had to pretend to be a boy to play football when she was young! We also look at how Helen Dickinson, CEO of the British Retail Consortium, is playing the high stakes game of defending the supermarkets in today’s retail climate.
We don’t stop there. In Spotlight, Lebby and Sophie chat with us, and in Further Reading we hear from author, Laura Ashley-Timms. One of my personal favourite sections in Dynamic is Art. Not in the least because of gallery owner and art critic, Kellie Miller’s beautiful way of drawing me into the world of the artist.
And much more. We hope you enjoy you enjoy this month’s Dynamic magazine.
MPs, retailers and charities have written to the government urging it to axe the 20% VAT on period pants, the alternative to tampons and sanitary towels.
In December 2020, then Chancellor Rishi Sunk announced the abolition of VAT from all period products. However, HMRC classified period pants as garments, rather than essential goods, and so retained the 20% VAT cost. Additionally, retailers are not passing on the VAT cut to consumers.
Now, Marks & Spencer has launched Say Pants to the Tax, promising to pass on all cost savings to shoppers if it is successful.
Campaigners are asking Victoria Atkins, the minister at the Treasury responsible for VAT, to get them reclassified as period products in the chancellor’s autumn statement later this year.
In the light of Mary Earps’ inspired performances for England in the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup, Nike, which makes the England men’s and women’s football kits, has re-considered its decision not to make replica women’s goalkeeper shirts.
The original decision not to produce goalkeeper shirts for any of the nations whose kits it made, was taken before the World Cup, a move widely criticised by football fans globally. Replica shirts for the outfield players had been on sale, but Nike insisted there was little need to make goalkeepers’ shirts - a decision they have finally acknowledged was wrong.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup Final was the second-most watched TV event in the UK after the King’s Coronation.
Still on Nike, investors in the company are being asked to vote for a resolution calling on the company to disclose more data on pay equity for female and minority employees. Massachusetts-based investment adviser Arjuna Capital, a regular submitter of shareholder resolutions, filed the proposal with the SEC in July. The firm asked Nike for an annual report on median earning gaps for female and minority employees, stating that the report should include the company’s associated wage policy and “risks related to recruiting and retaining diverse talent.” In a report published ahead of Nike’s shareholder meeting on September 12th, investors were met with the proposal that would allow them to “compare and measure the progress of the company’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.”
A strong woman stands up for herself. A stronger woman stands up for everybody else Unknown
Attorneys general from 16 US states have asked the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to audit China-founded fast-fashion retailer Shein’s supply chain for the use of forced labour. In a move clearly seen a party-political, the letter, sent to the SEC in August, added to pressure on Shein as hawks in Congress target Chinese firms who they say do not align with US foreign policy goals. Shein, which sells budget clothes and home furnishings in more than 150 countries, recently moved its headquarters to Singapore but makes most of its products in China. “We have zero tolerance for forced labour, and no contract manufacturers in the Xinjiang region. We will continue to engage with US federal and state officials to answer their questions,” a Shein spokesperson said.
The founders of a venture capital fund devoted to funding Black women-owned businesses defended their efforts to support underrepresented entrepreneurs in the face of a lawsuit by a conservative activist accusing it of racial discrimination. New York-based Fearless Fund’s leaders and its lawyers pledged to fight a lawsuit filed by a prominent affirmative action opponent American Alliance for Equal Rights, a group founded by activist Edward Blum. “We are not scared,” Arian Simone, the chief executive and co-founder of the Atlanta-based Fearless Fund, said. “We are fearless.” According to the Fearless Fund, women of colour business founders in 2022 received only 0.39% of the $288 billion that venture capital firms deployed.
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Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness
UK Government Ministers have pledged to reinstate the right of women to receive equal pay with men for doing the same job, despite recently scrapping the law behind the protection.
Hundreds of EU laws were dispensed with earlier this year through the Government’s post-Brexit “EU Retained Law Bill.” These laws included a regulation establishing the right of women to claim equal pay and terms with men if they ultimately work for the same “source” setting their employment terms and conditions.
The Government’s U-turn came just hours after senior Labour figures told the Financial Times that the party would introduce a pledge to reinstate the previous protections if it won the General Election, expected next year.
Until the 16th century, when hops were first used in England, most ale and beer was still produced by women, known as ‘brewsters’. The late 18th century saw the decline of brewing as a household art and the rise of the male-dominated ‘beer business’ had begun, with commercial, large-scale brewing.
But brewsters are back. Now, according to the Independent, the eight best beers brewed by women are:
• BEST OVERALL
Queer Brewing Co: Existence As a Radical Act
• BEST NEW ENGLAND
Wild Card Brewery: Magonia Fresh Hop NEIPA
• BEST IPA
Coalition Brewing: Always With A Twist IPA
• BEST LAGER
St. Austell Brewery: Korev Cornish Lager
• BEST CASK BEER
Nomadic Beers: Little Wanderer
• BEST ALCOHOL-FREE BEER
Merakai Brewing Co: This Is A Thirst Trap
• BEST GOSE
The First & Last Brewery: Hedgerow Gose
• BEST DARK BEER
Brewster’s Brewery: Dragon Street Porter
In a move which saw her pre-empt a humiliating exit from the House of Commons, Mid-Bedfordshire MP Nadine Dorries has finally resigned her seat, eleven weeks after publicly announcing her intention to do so.
Dorries had announced her intention to stand down ‘with immediate effect’ in June when she was overlooked in Boris Johnson’s controversial resignation Honours List. She has not voted in the House of Commons since April 2022.
Her resignation paves the way for a by-election in her former constituency which will take place sometime in late September or early October.
A woman with a voice is, by defi nition, a strong woman
Melinda Gates
Women are the real architects of society
Cher
Will the change to the Lifetime Allowance affect how you take pension benefits going forward? Could the change be reversed in the near future?
SAMANTHA KAYE from Wellesley investigates
The way we retire has shifted radically over the past decade, and another major change is set to impact high earners. One of the headline announcements of the Spring Budget in March 2023 was the Lifetime Allowance (LTA) and the potential abolition for the 2024/25 tax year – the cap on the total value that you could hold in your pensions without facing a tax penalty.
It currently stands at £1,073,100, but it will be removed from April 2024. e change will mostly a ect senior professionals like doctors and head teachers, who might have previously been tempted to take early retirement or opt out of pension saving.
Although the move has been lauded for simplifying the pension system and promoting greater awareness of saving for the future, industry experts are sceptical. HMRC has yet to show how the LTA could work in practice. What’s more, with a General Election looming, Labour has pledged to reverse any changes if they come into power, in favour of a solution for NHS sta only.
Investors have therefore been left with a number of tricky questions. What should you do if you previously paused your pension contributions to avoid breaching the LTA? Should you crystallise funds in excess of the LTA now while there’s no tax charge? Or could this leave you vulnerable to tax in the future if the LTA is reinstated by Labour or a future government? What does it all mean for Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning, given that you can pass pensions to bene ciaries IHT-free upon your death?
The issue is perhaps more pertinent for women, who will often rely on their pension more than men due to issues like the gender pay gap and any time taken away from their career to raise a family
Any questions arising from the proposed LTA changes will typically require professional advice on any actions you might need to take to secure your short- and longterm nancial well-being. Immediate things to consider are:
1. Are you using a mix of tax-planning tools to save for your future – including pensions and ISAs?
2. Check your pension nomination – who does it pass to when you die?
3. If you’ve previously been a ected by the LTA, it’s worth checking your pension policies and procedures to clarify the details on bene ts.
It’s impossible to say today what the future holds, but regular contact with your adviser is the key to ensuring there’s not a knock-on e ect on your future plans.
Worried about what the LTA might mean for you? Contact me today to arrange a no-obligation chat.
Samantha Kaye, Chartered Adviser, Wellesley House, 50 Victoria Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 9LH E: samantha.kaye@sjpp.co.uk www.wellesleywa.co.uk
e value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested. e levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time. e value of any tax relief generally depends on individual circumstances.
St. James’s Place guarantees the suitability of advice o ered by Wellesley 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 is a trading name of Wellesley Investment Management Ltd. e 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. Wellesley Investment Management Ltd: Registered O ce: 44 e Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, TN2 5TN. Registered in England & Wales, Company No. 06530147.
The change will mostly affect senior professionals like doctors and head teachers
Any regular visitor to a supermarket - or any shop - over the past five years will have noticed a shocking rise in the price of many items - for a variety of reasons. The International Monetary Fund is pointing the finger straight at profiteering retailers; retailers flatly deny this, pointing out issues with the supply chain; the Government –without having the firmest grip on the situation – is bizarrely blaming wage increases, to which workers claim ‘what wage increases?’
So everyone has the hump with everyone else.
In the middle of all this, the British Retail Consortium, representing the UK’s retailers, and the customers they serve, is trying to find a redress to the balance between this accusation of profiteering and customer needs. As Dynamic now points out, Helen Dickinson, the CEO, clearly has her work cut out…
Given her role at the BRC, she is compelled to step in and defend the supermarkets from criticism being levelled at them
elen Dickinson OBE was born in 1966 in Surrey. She was educated at schools in New Zealand between 1973 and 1978, and e Kings School, Ottery St Mary, Devon before attending Kingston Polytechnic.
Her rst job was as a sales assistant at a high street chemist. After joining KPMG she ultimately rose to the position of Head of Retail, working for the company for 23 years. She was appointed CEO of the British Retail Consortium (BRC), having landed that role over ten years ago, in January 2013. She received an OBE for services to the retail industry in 2016
When Dickinson left her role at KPMG, the UK retail industry was relatively stable. Consumer con dence and retail sales were improving after shaking o the last remnants of the global nancial crisis from ve years earlier.
As CEO of the British Retail Consortium, Dickinson was one of the people to attend government brie ngs during the Covid-19 pandemic, where she urged people to shop responsibly after panic buying led to a shortage of food in supermarkets.
She has a thankless balancing act between being a voice piece for the UK retail industry, for consumers, and talking with a Government which has had to deal with many international challenges over the past few years, not all of which have been dealt with that successfully.
During one particularly feisty online exchange regarding Covid between then Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng, and representatives of 70 major retail companies (who dismissed Kwarteng’s demeanour as ‘rude’) in January 2021, she had to tread a careful line between the demands of her members, and the diplomatic role required to be CEO of the British Retail Consortium when dealing with the Government.
News had got out that the exchange was heated, and that Kwarteng had behaved in a dismissive, belligerent manner. Dickinson sought to calm the waters by stating her disappointment that details of a hitherto con dential meeting had become public.
The BRC’s mission is to make a positive difference to the retail industry and the customers it serves, today and in the future. We tell the story of retail and work with our members to drive change, doing this in a way that adds value to all the companies in membership - if you’re a retailer or a supplier of services to retail, we’d love to welcome you!
I lead the brilliant BRC team and am responsible for our strategic direction, performance and impact. I’ve been working with retailers for over 30 years and am passionate about retail, diversity and inclusion and accelerating the industry’s journey to Net Zero. I received an OBE for services to the retail industry in 2016, am a member of the Pennies Retail Advisory Board, a Social Mobility Commission Ambassador and won Activist of the Year in the 2021 Retail Week Awards.
Given her role at the BRC, she is compelled to step in and defend the supermarkets - and other retailers – from criticism being levelled at them, especially accusations of pro teering. After the International Monetary Fund placed a large slice of the blame for double-digit in ation on excessive and unnecessary retailer price rises, combined with the Government weighing in with its misguided nger-pointing, she launched a robust takedown of the narrative coming retailers’ way.
“ e Government must end its scapegoating of retailers,” Dickinson wrote in a recent blog. “I remember conversations with retail leaders seeing in ationary pressures coming even before the war in Ukraine. Labour shortages, freight issues, dislocation of supply caused by the pandemic, Brexit frictions, a weakening pound, rises in the New Living Wage, the impact of climate changes on commodities and harvests... the reasons to expect rising costs were obvious.”
In pointing to supermarkets expanding their ‘value’ ranges, and quoting a Competition & Mergers Authority report, she reasoned the evidence was clear that retailers were exonerated for their price rises.
As the go-to trade association for UK retail businesses, our purpose is to make a positive difference to the retail industry and the customers it serves, today and in the future.
We tell the story of retail, work with our members to drive positive change and use our expertise and influence to create an economic and policy environment that enables retail businesses to thrive and consumers to benefit.
We do this in a way that delivers value back to our members, justifying their investment in the BRC. This membership comprises over 200 major retailers – whether operating physical stores, multichannel or pureplay online – plus thousands of smaller, independent retailers through a number of niche retail Trade Associations that are themselves members of BRC.
Retail is an exciting, dynamic and diverse indus-
In more than once instance, Dickinson has been infuriated by Brexit. Not so much by the vote and the subsequent political bile that followed; more the execution of Brexit, with uncertainty, doubt, concern and lack of clarity or information coming from the one place that needed to calm the stormy waters - the Government.
Indeed, in a universe of ubiquitous nger-pointing, she has more than once red o her ire at ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson for his behaviour, and lack of consultation, in the lead up to the UK’s exit from the EU.
In that regard, Dickinson is probably on the right side of the argument here. At a time when all facets of UK industry – especially retail – needed clarity, little was forthcoming.
Not that that really helps. It’s fairly evident Dickinson – and the BRC - are having to ght the ‘blame’ narrative on several fronts. is has made her job so much harder; certainly in comparison to the relatively rosy industry she inherited responsibility for ten years ago.
try. It is a driving force in our economy, a hotbed of innovation and the UK’s largest private sector employer. Retailers touch the lives of millions of people every day, supporting the vibrancy of the communities they operate in. However, the industry is going through a period of profound change, with technology transforming how people shop, costs increasing, and growth in consumer spending slowing.
Retailing will continue to evolve and advance. Online retail will continue to grow as retailers invest in new emerging technologies; there will be fewer stores and those stores remaining will offer new experiences; there will be fewer, but better jobs and a career in retail in the future will be very different to today.
We are committed to ensuring the industry thrives through this period of transformation.
As well as Brexit, the BRC under Dickinson’s tenure has had other battles with the government. e biggest one –aside from the e ects of Covid on the retail industry and its consumers – has been business rates, the controversial property tax that has become the bane of retailers since its revaluation at the start of the 2017/18 scal year.
e pace of reform has been slow, or too slow for the BRC’s liking. Following the Chancellor’s Budget of 2023, Dickinson was moved to respond, “ e Government took an essential step towards longer term reform of the broken Business Rates system by the scrapping of downwards phasing of transitional relief. Yet the need for Business Rates reform is far from over, and the changes made in the budget are a far cry from the fundamental reform promised in 2019.”
“Any meaningful plan for the future of our town and city centres must have wholesale reform of our Business Rates system at its heart.”
All the while in ation remains higher than previously forecast, uncertainty will continue within some, if not most, parts of the economy. In being presented with these challenges, Helen Dickinson OBE, in her rst ten years as CEO at the British Retail Consortium, has evidently undertaken her role with diplomacy, knowledge, integrity, tenacity and care, becoming an important champion for all aspects of the retail industry.
At a time when all facets of UK industry –especially retail – needed clarity, little was forthcoming
In times of continued high inflation, rising interest rates and the current cost-of-living crisis, all businesses need to be taking a hard look at their finances and the systems they have in place to monitor their results. Cash is always king. But you can’t control other areas of your business if you are not monitoring them.
By ALISON JONES, Partner of Kreston Reeves
Here are some thoughts on areas that you really need to focus on:
Your sta are your most valuable asset so do ensure that you are looking after them. As well as providing exible working, there are many little extra things that you can do to improve their lives during this current crisis which will help you retain them. It does not cost much but providing breakfast for example can have a huge impact on your sta .
Do you raise interim invoices or are your clients on standing orders? is is a good tool to ensure that cash is still being received on a regular basis.
Is this up to date in the current market and have you added an in ationary rise to your prices? You need to be aware of your competition to ensure that you do not price yourself out of the market but do keep an eye on them to ensure that you have not been left behind. Some of our clients also consider the risk of each sale/product and they will add a premium when this is considered to be high risk.
When was the last time that you checked your product costings and is the markup still what you are expecting? Does this markup then enable you to cover your overheads, or do you need to be either increasing your prices and/or cutting costs?
When was the last time that you reviewed all your processes for e ciencies? Could AI be a useful tool to help you improve this? Most of our clients now use Xero to record their nancial information and this uses AI which has signi cantly reduced time, keeping their accounts up to date. ere are lots of other pieces of software using AI that could help with other areas of your business.
Can anything be automated? Dext, for example is a piece of software that automates recording expenses and uses AI to post them into Xero. Is there any other part of your business where automation could help?
It is very tempting to reduce expenditure in this area, but this is not always a good plan as you can quickly be forgotten if your competitors are continuing with their marketing. Are you marketing in the right way and in the right place? Would your business bene t from being on TikTok or YouTube? You may be surprised by how much these platforms can generate more business for you by reaching a di erent market and increasing your pro le.
with the right team of advisors working with you
Do you monitor how much business this creates? Does this need refreshing? Do you ask for testimonials or recommendations, including on Google, as these are powerful tools for encouraging new clients. Don’t be shy, you are good at what you do, and the world needs to know!
Review your contracts to ensure that you are paying the best prices. Do you need to change your utilities supplier? If you do not have the time or experience to review these in detail, there are rms that will audit your contracts and can suggest cheaper alternatives.
You should also review your nancing arrangements, including your loans. We can perform an audit for you including suggesting alternative providers which could help you reduce your costs in this area.
It is estimated most businesses waste the equivalent of 20-30% of their turnover each year. Regardless of the type of business you run, a waste audit includes looking at overproduction and over-servicing, waiting times, transportation, inappropriate processing, unnecessary inventory and motions, defects, and mistakes. Reviewed collectively, these can lead to some signi cant cost savings as well as better service for your customers and clients.
Do speak to your accountant? ey have a wealth of knowledge and experience in many of these areas and they can help you by monitoring your results with you and providing a sounding board to help you make decisions.
And nally, this is a stressful time for everyone but please don’t forget the acronym – TEAM – together everyone achieves more. And you are not alone with the right team of advisors working with you.
It is estimated most businesses waste the equivalent of 20-30% of their turnover each year
The number of business premises used for warehousing and logistics has almost doubled in the last decade, according to the Office for National Statistics, leaving the UK facing a potential problem.
DYNAMIC looks at what’s behind the demand and why businesses need to adapt
is has been largely driven by the massive increase in e-commerce and online retailers such as Amazon – a company that accounts for a quarter of all warehousing space in the UK.
In late 2021, commercial property services rm, Cushman & Wake eld, predicted that the UK could run out of warehousing space within a year. Over 12 months later, demand continues to be at an all-time high, with vacancy rates having been sat at less than 2% for the past year. is is way below the rate needed to balance uctuations between supply and demand, which is 8%.
Where e-commerce has dominated the take-up of warehousing space, analysis has also shown that the increase in demand is also because of stockpiling. More retailers and manufacturers are now using third-party logistics providers to store their goods, which drove almost 20% of all warehousing take-up in the rst half of 2022.
is is likely due to businesses wanting to make their supply chains more resilient rather than relying solely upon ‘justin-time’, a model that is highly vulnerable to any disruptions within the supply chain. Stockpiling goods means that even if there is a disruption, the business will have enough stock to ful l orders and keep up with customer demand.
is, along with what’s seen as chronic under-development of storage space, has created a perfect storm that is affecting businesses across the UK and limiting their growth.
Recent joint analysis from Savills, the British Property Foundation (BPF) and the UK Warehousing Association found that the lack of space has meant that rents have risen around 61%. is is most harmful to small businesses and those that work with slim margins, which may struggle to keep up with rental costs and could see their pro ts squeezed even more. Consumers may also feel the bite of this, with some businesses forced to pass on extra costs to their customers.
Apart from lack of space, labour vacancies is another major issue faced by the logistics and warehousing industries
Utilising all available space will be vital – especially vertical space. For small storage facilities, shelving units, stacking systems, and warehouse steps may be enough to maximise the height. For larger spaces or those that deal with heavy items and materials, pallet racking is an essential investment. Specialised equipment such as mobile warehouse steps and side loaders can assist in the process of storing items at height and make it much safer and less labour-intensive.
Although still uncommon, more developers are pointing towards multi-storey warehousing as a way to combat the lack of space. The UK’s first multi-storey logistics space, Segro V-Park Grand Union, in London is planned to be six storeys high. Building mezzanine levels into current spaces may also provide a faster short-term solution.
Similar to utilising height in your warehouse is also investing in ways to efficiently store your equipment, for which there are many simple but effective solutions. Some commonly used equipment such as steps, shelf trucks, and trolleys can be found in foldable styles, meaning that they can easily be packed away when not needed. Wall brackets can also help to store equipment such as heavyduty ladders safely, securely, and in a way that saves space.
Automating otherwise time-consuming tasks can ensure processes are completed quickly, as well as reduce the risk of human error. This is especially useful for FMCG companies where speed and accuracy are essential for customer convenience.
Warehouse management systems and the use of AI technologies can both help towards achieving this. AI in warehouses can streamline processes and help businesses to use their space more efficiently through analysis and effective planning. AI can quickly use market trends and current demand to calculate future needs, aiding in decision-making around what stock to prioritise and where to store it to avoid wasting space.
Products such as powered pallet trucks and pallet stackers can also assist with tasks that are carried out by people; they do the heavy lifting.
Businesses that are unable to build their own stockpiles due to space could also minimise the risk of supply chain disruptions by expanding their supplier bases. Doing so will mean that when an issue strikes, the business will be able to source what they need from different suppliers.
Apart from lack of space, labour vacancies is another major issue faced by the logistics and warehousing industries. Automation can partially help by making workers’ jobs easier to complete. However, future developments will need to not only consider the available space, but also the surrounding labour pool. In areas where logistics and warehousing are dominant, the competition for skilled workers will be the fiercest.
Along with these adaptations, perhaps the real key to helping businesses meet their demand and thrive is the sufcient development of warehousing space. e expansion of available space might then lead to even greater demand for it, with businesses growing and increasing their own stockpiles. e report by Savills and the BPF predicts that growth could rise by 42% in Leeds, 35% in Manchester, 29% in Birmingham, and 28% in Nottingham – leading to bene ts such as job creation and giving the local economy a boost. ere are already signs of renewed growth in warehouse development plans, with just over two million sq ft of warehousing space opening this year in Yorkshire alone. If this continues, the day the UK runs out of storage space may never come.
Demand continues to be at an all-time high, with vacancy rates having been sat at less than 2% for the past year
Taiwan will be joining New Zealand, Kenya, Botswana and regions in France and Canada in providing free sanitary products in schools and universities. Taiwan will include grants for low-income learners to access period products, which is expected to benefit 95,000 students. Provision is also being made via public venues such as libraries, museums and art centres in major cities.
Scotland already provides period products free of cost to anyone who needs them while the rest of the UK has, sadly, only abolished VAT on sanitary products.
The pay gap between full-time working women and their male counterparts in the US is now narrower than ever, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics – but there’s still some way to go before parity is reached. Many feared that the pandemic would reverse pay gap progress, but the opposite appears to be true with women now making 84 cents (74p) for every $1 (88p) that men earn for similar work – the closest it’s ever been.
“Many women are coming back into the labour force at higher wage rates than before,” Julia Pollak, chief economist at ZipRecruiter, told news site Axios. “What was a ‘she-cession’ in some ways appears to be turning into a ‘she-boom.’”
If hitting the magic 10,000 steps a day sometimes feels like an impossible task, take heart – a new analysis reveals health benefits kick in at as few as 2,300, while 4,000 is enough to cut the risk of premature death.
Researchers led by Maciej Banach, Professor of Cardiology at the Medical University of Lodz, Poland, analysed step count studies involving almost 227,000 people. They found that 2,337 steps a day benefitted the heart and blood vessels, while walking at least 3,967 steps reduced the risk of dying from any cause. Every 1,000 steps over 4,000 cut the chance of early death by 15%, the study concluded.
“This applied to both men and women, irrespective of age or whether you live in a temperate, subtropical or subpolar region of the world, or a region with a mixture of climates,” said Banach.
To me, bossy is not a pejorative term at all. It means somebody’s passionate, engaged and ambitious and doesn’t mind learning
Amy Poehler
A wildlife trust and charity have received £1.49m to train young people from diverse backgrounds to help them get environmental sector jobs. UpRising and Shropshire Wildlife Trust received National Lottery funding to launch the free Environmental Leadership Programme to engage people aged 18-25 from a range of socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds with nature. It aims to deepen young people’s understanding of what drives environmental behaviour change, leading them to develop nature-focused campaigns in their local communities.
Students will spend nine months taking part in the free course and there will be 100 young people in each cohort. The programme will run for four years. Applications are currently open for the October start date.
The last of the United States’ declared chemical weapons stockpile has been destroyed at a military installation in Kentucky, the White House announced. Rockets filled with GB nerve agent were destroyed, closing a chapter of warfare dating back to World War I.
“For more than 30 years, the United States has worked tirelessly to eliminate our chemical weapons stockpile,” President Joe Biden said in a statement released by the White House. “I am proud to announce that the United States has safely destroyed the final munition in that stockpile — bringing us one step closer to a world free from the horrors of chemical weapons.”
Artificial fertiliser, made using natural gas, shot up in price after the invasion of Ukraine. Consequently, UK farmers started using less of it or using natural alternatives, leading to the unexpected outcome of higher crop yields. According to the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), wheat, barley, oilseed rape and sugar beet yields rose by 2.4% in 2022, while fertiliser use fell by a reported 27%.
“Price rises in 2022 were a real shock for many farmers, but one upside could hopefully be a permanent reduction in fertiliser use,” said Martin Lines, chairman of the Nature Friendly Farming Network.
Scientists at King’s College London have used a genetic approach to fix deafness in mice, restoring their hearing abilities in low and middle frequency ranges. Dr Elisa Martelletti, the study’s first author from King’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience said, “Seeing the once-deaf mice respond to sounds after treatment was truly thrilling. It was a pivotal moment, demonstrating the tangible potential to reverse hearing loss caused by defective genes. This groundbreaking proof-of-concept study unlocks new possibilities for future research, sparking hope for the development of treatments for hearing loss.”
I just love bossy women. I could be around them all day
Amy Poehler
In our exclusive Spotlight feature, we highlight women who are doing good things in their community. They’re not always seen but we think they should be.
The CEO of The Health Lottery tells us how her fundraising efforts led to a career shift
As a child, I was never a brilliant fundraiser. Getting sponsorship in the 80s was a tedious process which involved cold calling neighbours – not much fun for a slightly shy, gawky teen.
It wasn’t until my mother died of breast cancer in 2008 that I began fundraising in earnest, as a means of getting through my grief. At the time, I was deputy editor of new! magazine. Our marathon-running art director inspired me to do the Moonwalk to raise money for breast cancer charities.
After my father died from pneumonia in 2013, I decided to run the London Marathon for the British Lung Foundation.
e following year, I did the Paris and London Marathons to support an anti-domestic violence campaign we’d launched in the magazine under my then-editorship. We were reaching half a million readers a week, many of whom had experienced an abusive relationship or knew someone who had. I felt we were making a di erence.
After being made redundant in 2018, I began working as a freelance journalist, but found I missed being part of a team. I returned to my university sport of rowing and met some inspirational women who’d rowed the Atlantic.
It felt like fate when a dropout led to a friend asking me to join “ e Mothership” team for the 2021 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. We rowed from La Gomera to Antigua in 40 days and raised £70,000 for the Felix Fund, Women in Sport and Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice.
Afterwards, returning to journalism felt a little hollow. I wanted to be part of something more meaningful. So when the former owner of new! magazine called to tell me about the role of CEO of e Health Lottery, I jumped at the chance to apply.
Now, just over eight months after I joined, we have relaunched the brand and I’ve put my journalism background to good use to make sure we’re telling the story that with every ticket sold, we are helping to ght health inequality around Great Britain. At e Health Lottery, we support community projects that can otherwise get overlooked. It’s a real motivation to know the better we are at our job, the more we make a di erence.
See www.healthlottery.co.uk
We rowed from La Gomera to Antigua in 40 days and raised £70,000 for the Felix Fund, Women in Sport and Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice
A big congratulations on winning the Dynamic Innovator of the Year Award!
I didn’t set out wanting, or ever expecting to become, a business owner. In fact, I landed my dream job straight out of university, working as an aeronautical engineer and I genuinely could see my whole life mapped out. Two things combined to change that: I missed the research aspects of university, and I was fascinated about why people were missing (not seeing) information. I persuaded my employer to fund a part-time PhD, and that was game changer. I was introduced to Bayesian Statistics.
It took eight years to get my PhD, studying in the evening and weekends during which time I got married and had a child. It was undoubtedly challenging to nish my studies, and achieving that is something I am really proud of.
Just over a year after I graduated, I was made redundant while my second child was only a few months old.
at was during the economic crash of 2008/9 and I couldn’t nd part-time technical work. is was important to me, I desperately wanted to stay in technical work and use the skills I gained. Ultimately, I decided to found my own company to do just that.
I mean how hard can that be? It turns out founding a company is pretty easy; building a pro table company is much, much harder. I promised my husband I’d just do some consulting for a couple of years and then go back to a proper job. e thing is, it turned out I really enjoyed running my own company. As Bays has slowly grown I’ve worked hard to ensure that the culture is one where everyone can nd their place in tech. I am incredibly proud of the fact that the company has an equitable gender split and that our sta includes reservists, veterans and more part-time men than women.
By allowing the company to grow slowly, the team has really come together and we’ve found ways of working that work for us. I’ve felt the joy in seeing others who were brave enough to join a small company grow and succeed and realised that this gives me huge ful lment. I am not where I thought I would end up in my career but I am, I think, where I am meant to be.
www.baysconsulting.co.uk
By allowing the company to grow slowly, the team has really come together and we’ve found ways of working that work for us
In the realm of women’s football, few names resonate as strongly as Sarina Wiegman’s. The Lionesses coach took the team further in the Word Cup than any England squad had reached in 57 years. By
Tess de KlerkWith her exemplary coaching prowess and remarkable achievements, she has carved a path that inspires both players and fans alike. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Wiegman’s personal journey adds depth to her meteoric rise in the world of football
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I have a lot of respect for Sarina. For the men, everything is arranged. Here, this is much more difficult
Louis van Gaal
Born on October 26th 1969, in e Hague, Netherlands, Sarina Wiegman’s a nity for football developed early in life. Raised in a family that adored the sport, she kicked her rst ball at a tender age, playing football in the streets and quickly showcasing an innate talent that would come to de ne her future. Back then, girls and women weren’t allowed to play football in the Netherlands, but that didn’t stop Sarina from chopping her hair o and joining her twin brother’s Haag team. Over the years, she faced many challenges of a male-dominated sport, often playing with and against boys, re ning her skills and determination.
Wiegman’s journey took a signi cant turn in 1988, when she had the opportunity to participate in the 1988 FIFA Women’s Invitation Tournament in China. During this tournament, fate intertwined her path with that of Anson Dorrance, the head coach of the US Women’s National Team (USWNT). Impressed by Wiegman’s skills and potential, Dorrance extended an invitation that would shape the course of her life. He encouraged her to study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and join the North Carolina Tar Heels women’s football team, a powerhouse in collegiate soccer.
In 1989, Wiegman seized this opportunity, crossing the Atlantic to immerse herself in the vibrant US football culture. Playing alongside luminaries like Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, and Carla Overbeck, Wiegman’s time with the Tar Heels proved transformative. e team clinched the NCAA championship in 1989, a remarkable feat that showcased Wiegman’s ability to excel on the international stage.
Wiegman’s experiences at the University of North Carolina provided her with a stark contrast to the situation back home in the Netherlands. She marvelled at the high calibre of the team and the quality of support and facilities, which stood in stark contrast to the challenges faced by female players in her homeland. In the Netherlands, women’s players juggled football with other professions due to the lack of su cient support.
Upon returning to the Netherlands after her stint in the United States, Wiegman embraced her role as a trailblazer. She became a beacon of inspiration for female athletes, demonstrating that success was possible even under challenging circumstances. To sustain her playing career, Wiegman worked as a physical education teacher at Segbroek College in e Hague, a position she held while continuing to excel in football.
O the eld, Wiegman’s personal life re ects her dedication to empowerment and gender equality. A vocal advocate for women’s rights in sports, she has consistently championed increased opportunities and support for female athletes. Her work transcends mere wins and losses; it’s about paving the way for future generations and changing perceptions about women’s participation in football. As of 2022, the Dutch men’s and women’s national football teams receive the same salary.
Sarina Wiegman is married to Marten Glotzbach, who shares her passion for football. Marten, a former youth football trainer and coordinator, transitioned to becoming a Professor of Economics at Segbroek College. He utilised his coaching quali cation by organising football matches at the school, eventually nding his way into coaching the Netherlands Women’s national football team.
Marten and Sarina’s partnership extended beyond their personal lives. ey worked alongside each other as coaches for the Netherlands Women’s national football team; a testament to their shared commitment to the sport. Despite Sarina’s departure to become the head coach of the England Women’s team in September 2021, their in uence on women’s football remains a profound force.
e couple have two daughters, Sacha and Lauren Glotzbach, who have inherited their parents’ love for the beautiful game. Both Sacha and Lauren are accomplished footballers in their own right. Lauren plays for the youth ADO Den Haag team, while Sacha showcases her talents at Sports Club Monster.
Sarina is a strong contender to potentially assume the role of the Netherlands men’s national coach in the future. Privately, Dutch football authorities have hinted for months that Wiegman would likely nd herself on the shortlist of candidates. Her candidacy has gained more traction following her teams’ impressive streak of reaching four consecutive major women’s international nals.
Historically, no prominent football federation or top-tier club has ever extended an o er for a men’s team managerial position to a woman. Wiegman con rmed her commitment to her role with England though, stating she had no intentions of departing, despite the 1-0 defeat to Spain in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final.
Her current contract with the Lionesses extends until after Euro 2025. ere has also been talk of Sarina leading England’s men’s team after Football Association CEO Mark Bullingham expressed openness to a woman succeeding Gareth Southgate. Either way, Bullingham vowed to rebu external attempts to recruit Wiegman and expressed optimism in her prolonged tenure. Addressing the pay gap (around £400,000 a year compared to Southgate’s £6 million), he said he aims for parity eventually, acknowledging the current discrepancy in the ‘market’ for both positions.
Wiegman’s name also emerged in American media as a potential replacement for the resigned head coach of the US national team. However, the KNVB (the Dutch FA’s) renewed interest might strongly appeal to her. Another prospect for Wiegman is managing Great Britain in the Olympics, pending successful quali cation.
Wherever she chooses to go, Sarina Wiegman’s journey is one of tenacity, perseverance, and an unwavering love for the beautiful game. Her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes, coaches, and anyone striving to make their mark in a world that sometimes resists change. As she continues to shape the future of women’s football, her legacy is destined to endure, leaving an indelible imprint on the sport she holds dear.
Overcoming adversity has been a defining characteristic of Wiegman’s teams, with England rising above every challenge presented over the four weeks of the tournament with a calm, ruthless efficiencyRight: Consolling England’s Millie Bright Below: The 2023 World Cup team
Lord Simon Woolley will be a keynote speaker at Brighton Chamber’s annual Brighton Summit on October 20th at the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts
Lord Simon Woolley has dedicated over 30 years of his career to promoting equality and human rights. He’s a crossbench peer, co-founder of Operation Black Vote, and the rst Black man to serve as principal of Cambridge University’s Homerton College.
Fostered and then adopted as a child, he grew up on a Leicester council estate and left school without any A Levels. In 1996, Lord Woolley founded Operation Black Vote, which works with ethnic minorities to increase understanding of civic
society, participation in Parliament and public life. Over the past two decades, the number of MPs from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds has risen from four to 65 as a result.
Joining Brighton Chamber as a keynote speaker at Human: Brighton Summit on October 20th, Lord Woolley will talk about his life – the challenges he’s encountered, the skills and passions he’s developed along the way, and his dedication to promoting opportunity for underrepresented communities and individuals.
Books have been born, businesses brokered, and brilliant bonds of friendship made over the course of Brighton Summit’s ten-year history. That’s thanks to the highly collaborative format which maximises opportunities to meet, share and learn. But also down to attendees’ mindset: free your mind, banish your boundaries and zoom outside of your comfort zone.
Brighton Summit is a full day of expertly curated keynotes, workshops and speaker sessions to supercharge your business and personal development. And each year, our theme helps us to focus on and enhance our shared discussion. This year, our Human theme will see us embrace, dissect and celebrate our shared humanity.
Featuring a keynote from forensic scientist Angela Gallop, and sessions to spark connections in new ways from wine and cheese tasting, to building Lego, learning breathwork and more – it’s a Summit for everyone.
Human: Brighton Summit is on October 20th at the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts. Find out more and get your ticket at brightonsummit.com
Brighton Summit is run by Brighton Chamber, a dynamic and welcoming membership organisation for businesses of all sizes. To get the latest Summit updates straight to your inbox, head over to the Chamber website to sign up to our mailing list.
With thanks to our sponsors: Galloways Accounting, Osprey, University of Sussex, EMW LLP, EQ Investors, Plus X Innovation and Reed.
And with special thanks to some of the humans helping behind the scenes at Brighton Summit. Brilliant branding by Sandra Staufer and Visual Function, with captivating copy by Rich Ford, Sherlock Studio.
Media partner: Platinum Media Group
Print partner: Lollipop
Web partner: Madison Solutions
The UK tech industry has a growing employment issue with 95% of companies reporting difficulties in securing talent. Where are the solutions to be found?
The UK Tech sector grew by 1,000% between 2010 and 2020, and last year the UK became the third country in the world to have a tech sector valued at £1 trillion. More ‘unicorn’ billion pound tech start-ups are being created than Germany, France and Sweden combined.
Around two-thirds (67%) of tech workers in the UK believe women are the answer to bridging the tech talent gap, yet only 40% stated their company has a plan to improve the gender split in their IT teams, according to research.
e annual Computer Weekly/TechTarget IT salary survey also revealed that almost a quarter of all participants strongly believe women are not well represented in higher positions within the tech workforce.
e lack of women in the tech sector is not only hindering diversity, but also contributing to the signi cant skills gap, leaving rms struggling to nd the talent they require. Hostile environments for women in tech roles could deter them from pursuing careers in the industry, leading to a missed opportunity for a pool of potential talent.
Senna Baillie, Director of Community, at VeUP, said: “ e industry and companies within should continue to work together to highlight and implement the necessary means to break down barriers to entry, and implement strategies to shift away from the idea of the sector being exclusive.
“As well as looking to recruit new talent, tech companies must look inward and drive an inclusive culture to expand organisational support and access to courses for their female sta . Getting more females into tech is crucial to unlocking an abundance of knowledge as well as strengthening retention and attitudes across the board.”
More than half of the survey participants highlighted the need for greater involvement of men in creating an inclusive culture for women in the tech sector, up signi cantly from 23% from last year, indicating a growing recognition of the importance of male allies in fostering diversity and equality.
Joanna Kori, Head of People at Encompass Corporation, said: “Research such as this emphasises the importance of building a truly diverse workforce. Women have so much skill, experience and expertise to bring to the table. If the gap is to really be bridged, it is crucial that organisations are proactive, and put the right policies and initiatives in place to attract and retain them.
“Businesses within the technology sector must continue to invest in female talent, introducing or focusing on a range of areas, such as exible working, which can be transformative when it comes to enabling women to excel in their career development while enjoying the work-life balance that is imperative today. We must empower women in their life and wellbeing choices, as well as their work choices, and support them to reach their potential. If we are to continually see positive change, exibility is key.”
Regarding equal pay, 63% of respondents believe women and men with similar quali cations are paid equally within their organisations, though 10% disagree.
e survey also highlighted a disparity in average salaries, with female participants earning an average yearly salary of around £61,640, while male participants earned an average of £86,392. is disparity is often due to women being less likely to be promoted to higher, well-paid positions or leaving the sector before reaching a higher salary range.
e tech sector has started to shift its focus from exclusively encouraging women into the industry to a broader approach, continuously adjusting and improving upon including people from di erent ethnicities, with di erent disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those from less wealthy socio-economic backgrounds.
Progress is being made, with 41% of respondents reporting their organisations to have mature DE&I strategies in place, but there remains much work to be done to improve.
Around two-thirds (67%) of tech workers in the UK believe women are the answer to bridging the tech talent gap
The allure of a straightforward method to amplify brainpower, thus leading to heightened productivity, intelligence and focus is undeniably captivating. But is it all hype? And is it safe?
Nootropics encompass a diverse array of supplements and medications that hold the promise of improving cognitive function within the brain, including faculties such as memory, creativity, motivation, executive function, and overall thinking abilities.
The popularity of nootropic drugs can be attributed in part to their portrayal in popular culture, such as the movie “Limitless,” where a smart drug propels Bradley Cooper into heightened productivity. However, such ‘brain hacking’ still remains a distant aspiration
Nootropics are alternatively known as cognitive enhancers, smart drugs, or brain boosters. is classi cation encompasses an extensive spectrum, ranging from naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, and plantderived compounds to prescription medications and novel synthetic compounds.
Let’s have a closer look at some of the substances out there.
Synthetics such as those in the Racetam family (piracetam, aniracetam, pramiracetam), Noopept, phenotropil were blanket banned for selling and distributing in the UK in 2016 (they’re readily available online from outside the UK, though). Some of these compounds have proven e cacy in those with serious cognitive decline such as piracetam in dementia patients but there is little evidence from large, controlled studies regarding the e ectiveness and safety of these compounds in healthy brains.
RHODIOLA
supplementation could stimulate
Lion’s Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) stands out as a unique natural nootropic with potential neuroprotective and cognitiveenhancing properties. A 2009 clinical trial found that Lion’s Mane supplementation could stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) production, supporting overall brain health. Notably, the study participants with mild cognitive impairment experienced improvements in cognitive function after taking Lion’s Mane for 16 weeks
Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) is a powerful adaptogen that helps the body adapt to stress. This herb boasts potential benefits for mental stamina and resilience. A 2003 randomised controlled trial among 161 participants found that Rhodiola could alleviate mental fatigue and improve cognitive function under stress. Participants experienced a significant reduction in fatigue and an increase in mental performance during stressinducing tasks.
Nootropics are alternatively known as cognitive enhancers, smart drugs, or brain boosters
Ginkgo biloba, often called a “living fossil” because it has survived mostly unchanged for close to 150 million years, has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine for cognitive enhancement. Today, some studies back up the plant’s benefits for memory and concentration, its neuroprotective effects and its ability to improve microvascular circulation in the brain, concentration, and overall cognitive function.
• B Vitamins inc folate
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Omega 3
• Magnesium
PRESCRIPTION ‘SMART DRUGS’
ese constitute another prominent category of nootropics, often associated with students seeking prolonged focus and attentiveness. Among the common prescriptions used as smart drugs are methylphenidate (Ritalin and Concerta), Moda nil and amphetamine-salt-based stimulants like Adderall (USA). While these medications are essential for individuals with cognitive di erences or certain psychiatric disorders, healthy individuals may also misuse them to enhance work or study performance.
e risks are considerable. Using prescription medications without professional guidance can lead to harmful consequences, including dependency and addiction. Long-term use of these drugs, especially during brain development stages like adolescence, might impede brain plasticity and result in potential cognitive decline. Side e ects of illicit usage can include psychiatric disorders, cardiovascular issues, and even an increased risk of suicide.
Nootropics o er an enticing promise of enhancing cognitive function, memory, and overall mental performance. However, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional before taking any new substances – even herbs. And always be vigilant to potential side e ects, interactions, and precautions.
Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), a central herb in Ayurvedic medicine, has been relied upon for millennia for its memoryenhancing properties – among a host of other benefits. In 2001, a clinical trial demonstrated that bacopa monnieri supplementation led to improvements in memory, learning, and cognitive performance in healthy individuals. Interestingly, the effects were more pronounced after 12 weeks of supplementation, suggesting that the benefits might build up over time.
in memory, learning, and cognitive
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is another adaptogenic herb with a broad range of potential cognitive benefits –particularly by improving resilience to stress, which can impair mental clarity, alertness and focus. A systematic review of scientific literature has shown that ashwagandha administration can lead to significant improvements in anxiety or stress level.
The allure of a straightforward method to amplify brainpower… is undeniably captivating
Complex hybrid-working models and rapid technological advancements are just some of the unprecedented changes facing today’s workplace. Additionally, sta priorities have shifted in terms of work/life balance, job satisfaction and development opportunities, meaning managers nd themselves overstretched and struggling to manage a mostly disengaged workforce.
Here are three key skills managers need to e ectively lead their teams through change:
Questions are the keys to unlocking your teams’ condence and potential in the face of change. Rather than practising a traditional command-and-control management style, providing solutions to problems that your employees bring to you, managers need to develop the ability to ask questions designed to stimulate their thinking. is approach bene ts the immediate situations people bring to you but also countless future situations where the issue might recur. Every time you ask a powerful question and help others to think through the situation di erently, their con dence and capability increase. ey also become more resourceful, and when that happens, they know how to solve their problems independently.
By Kirstin Ferguson Penguin (2023)
Whether you are the head of one of the largest companies in the world, supervising a small team, or guiding your family, it will be your ability to integrate your head and heart that will influence your success in leading others and navigating our complex world. Combining studies from leading thinkers in the field with her own research, and more than three decades of personal experience, the author explains the eight key attributes of a head-and-heart leader, and provides the tools to measure your own approach.
What is revered as leadership today is often nothing more than a destructive set of obsolete behaviours
Actively listening to your employees is crucial to foster authentic engagement and higher performance. Active listening means giving the employee your full attention without interrupting with your own input. Begin by being present in the moment and making a conscious e ort to sense the other person’s state. What is their mood? How much energy do they have? Do they seem stressed? Concentrate on how people are speaking, what they’re saying—and what they aren’t saying. Acknowledging that you’ve listened to someone when they’re expressing a challenge they’re facing is an important part of building empathy and trust with them. You might say, “I hear what you’re saying. at sounds really di cult. Let’s work together on this. May I ask you a question?” acknowledging them in this way will help them open up to your questions and ease into a more natural conversation.
THE ART OF RELATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN A FRAGMENTED WORLD
By Celine Schillinger
Figure 1 Publishing (2022)
What is revered as leadership today is often nothing more than a destructive set of obsolete behaviours and systems evolved from the centuries-old industrial theories popularised by Frederick Taylor and Henry Ford. The author believes that this mode of leadership harms individuals and societies and must be reinvented. Dare to Un-Lead explores how contemporary organisations can transform leadership from a top-down hegemony to one that empowers people to lead together through the concepts of liberty, equality, and community.
Employees can become frustrated with a lack of feedback, especially during periods of uncertainty. Learning to spot opportunities to give appreciative feedback, rather than focusing on what you want people to improve on, is a great way to build sta con dence. Pointing out the behaviours that are making a positive di erence to the outcomes being achieved, and celebrating them, will strengthen these habits and deliver faster improvements.
THE MICROSTRESS EFFECT: HOW LITTLE THINGS PILE UP AND CREATE BIG PROBLEMS--AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
by Rob Cross, Karen Dillon Harvard Business School Publishing (2023)
‘Cross and Dillon provide fresh insight into one of the most important topics of our time – why so many high performers are at risk of burnout in both their careers and their lives. Based on solid academic research, The Microstress Effect offers not only hope but also practical guidance for fending off microstress and living a rich, fulfilling life.’ – Susan David, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Emotional Agility
Staff priorities have shifted in terms of work/life balance, job satisfaction and development opportunities
Su Jameson’s new collection ‘Conversations’ explores the connections and complexities of being human and the tools we use to communicate. By KELLIE MILLER
Her hand-built ceramic sculptures strive to create physical and emotional exchanges drawn from her interactions and observations. Her work explores the complexities of being human, issues around belonging, strength and fragility, and communication tools. Derived from ideas that are at once particular and universal, the work invites contemplation and reinterpretation.
A bold colour palette brings to life her mesmerising ceramic sculptural forms, and you cannot help but look closer, deeper into each piece.
Some of the pieces include birds. Su is surrounded by birdsong where she works. Birds are symbolic of her upbringing. e birds singing have in ltrated her psyche during her solitary studio practice. By including these characters, she is pushing back against in uences from her childhood fuelled by Irish superstitions where birds were seen as unlucky and unwelcome, especially indoors.
e revolt against these messages has resulted in the realisation that their inclusion in her works is a constant engagement. is newfound companionship through the surround sound of birdsong and loose interpretations in the clay has been joyful and cathartic.
“Rather than a speci c narrative, I am interested in a more allegorical conveyance of hidden/semi-hidden, and sometimes complex meanings that are highly personal; through symbols, colours, and textures. is approach, I hope, allows for a more universal dialogue,” says Su.
So, this collection is an evocation of inner voicescon icting, comforting, questioning, ancient and currentwith bird-like additions on some works as representations of this. Su notes that birds are our only known living dinosaurs and thus evoke ancient wisdom. ey are social and pass on knowledge across generations. Her research has looked at the use of totems in early African carvings, where birds such as the pelican are symbolic in initiation ceremonies.
You can experience and enjoy Su Jameson’s new collection at Kellie Miller Arts, Brighton.
A bold colour palette brings to life her mesmerising ceramic sculptural forms, and you cannot help but look closer, deeper into each piece
Caller
TESS DE KLERK casts her eye over the best locations across Europe to find the finest places to relax, cure ailments and generally achieve wellness
Medical spas have become more popular in recent years for men and women alike. High quality medical spas provide comprehensive medical and/or wellness care in an environment that integrates spa services with traditional, alternative, cosmetic and western medical treatments and therapies. They have full-time, onsite doctors and staff, including qualified nurses, pharmacists and physiotherapists.
These spas strive to blend the best of two worlds — a relaxing spa experience with the procedures and expertise typically only found at a doctor’s office.
Some of the finest (and most expensive) medical spas are to be found in Europe. These world-class establishments offer luxurious accommodation, outstanding facilities and teams of specialist doctors for consultations, investigative procedures and surgery. Furthermore, they feature state-of-the-art operating blocks with recovery suites and 24-hour care. Medical spa services also include weight loss and stress-reduction programmes, check-ups, beauty treatments and preventive medicine.
This remarkable establishment provides a comprehensive range of services spanning from cardiology and ophthalmology to cutting-edge front-line stem-cell therapy, which rivals the advancements seen anywhere else. Cuttingedge machinery delivers advanced full-body analysis, and a designated physician will craft a completely personalised plan. This plan encompasses tailored naturopathic treatments, targeted exercise, diet, and any other elements that resonate with your heart, body, and soul. With an available gynaecology team, a kinesiologist, physiotherapists, and even dental care services, it offers a complete and invigorating transformation within a stunning environment.
Seven-night Body Cleanse Detox Programme stay from £4,367 per person
Located amidst picturesque villages of the Bavarian Alps, this modern wellness retreat is gaining significant attention for its DNA analysis services. More than 90 genes are meticulously examined by specialists to identify potential genetic inclinations toward diseases. Personalised advice on lifestyle choices and nutrition is then carefully put together in aid of preventing the development of these conditions. Renowned for its rigorous detox approach, Lanserhof is a cheerleader of intermittent fasting.
Seven-night LANS Med Basic Programme from £3,513
Situated along the stunning shores of Lake Geneva, this longstanding establishment in Montreux has been tending to individuals of considerable affluence for nearly a century. Throughout its history, the primary focus has consistently been on enhancing not just lifespan, but quality of life, a concept known as health span. These days this philosophy encompasses advanced practices such as stem-cell therapy, DNA analysis, personalised immune enhancement, and state-of-the-art skincare. The clinic’s legacy is rooted in its commitment to enhancing longevity and well-being through a harmonious fusion of medical expertise and serene natural surroundings, making it a sought-after destination for those with very deep pockets who seek revitalisation and health optimisation.
Six-night Revitalisation Programme from £26,000
Alvor, Portugal
This minimalist medical spa is well known for the ‘bone detective’, Ricardo Rosa, a skilled physiotherapist and osteopath who boasts a high success rate in treating chronic back pain. Most other ailments can also be addressed by the next-door private hospital with exceptional facilities and consultants or simply rejuvenate with spa and holistic treatments.
Three-night Longevity Relax & Detox Programme from £500
This top-notch medical centre caters to a wide range of needs, spanning addiction, sleep problems, smoking, alcoholism, genetic testing, memory enhancement, and holistic therapies. The macrobiotic, Japanese-inspired diet ensures a sense of vitality and, being located in Alicante, you’re guaranteed the boost that only sunshine provides.
It’s also the site of an outstanding cognitive health programme. Professor Bruno Ribeiro employs his extensive scientific knowledge and advanced technology to restore mental equilibrium. Guests use NASA-designed headsets for relaxation and focus, coupled with brain cell regenerating light therapy. Luxurious massages and ocean panoramas aid guests in unwinding and disconnecting.
Seven-night SHA Recovery Programme from £5,995
High quality medical spas provide comprehensive medical and/or wellness care
Enjoy a stroll down into our valley with our avid naturalist and gardener Elliot Chandler, where he will introduce you to the diverse and rich native flora that grows among the more exotic plants here in our gardens. You will also have the opportunity to see some of the wildlife that calls Leonardslee home. This guided walk is suitable for everyone from budding naturalists to seasoned botanists.
Leonardslee Gardens
September 29th
www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk
Boundary is the biggest electronic dance music festival in Brighton with a capacity of 20,000. Taking the best of Brighton’s creative energy, lust for life and generosity of spirit, Boundary Brighton is a festival with four stages of music, a vintage fair, delicious local food and other unexpected treats, all nestled between the crest of the Downs and the city with the sea below.
Stanmer Park, Brighton
September 30th
www.boundarybrighton.com/
Step back into the 1970s and join Basil, Sybil and Manuel in an hilarious immersive three-course dining experience, with a glorious mix of audience interaction, performed scenes and a touch of competition, you are in for a treat. Just don’t mention the war!
Luxfords Restaurant, Uckfield
October 6th
www.civiccentreuckfield.com/events/ fawlty-towers-dining-experience
Come and experience an interactive singalong musical night of Oompah-themed madness, music and mayhem. Dress to impress!
Classic hits from the 60s through to today, all played with an Oktoberfest twist, and including some traditional German toasts. Bratwurst on demand!
The Horse Inn
September 30th
www.thehorseinnhurst.co.uk
On the Brooklyn waterfront, where the fierce passions of ancestral Sicily linger, the orphaned Catherine falls for her handsome, newly arrived cousin Rodolfo – an illegal immigrant. Their romance is encouraged by her aunt but viewed with revulsion by her uncle who harbours an unspoken desire. As tensions rise, their story spins inexorably beyond control. Arthur Miller’s visceral and compelling drama is a timeless masterpiece.
Chichester Festival Theatre
October 6th-28th www.cft.org.uk
Momma Cherri of Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares fame is BACK!
Join Momma every Saturday for her Soul Food Brunch, served by up and coming Drag artist Tylernol and their friends. Perfect for a family treat, friends get together, even for a date. Soul music, drag performances, make up station, and fantastic food and drink - what more could you want?
The Old Crow, Hove
Every Saturday through September and October www.oldcrowinc.com
‘Bring Your Baby Pub Quizzes’ are fun, brain-stimulating daytime parent socials. Quizzes take a slower pace than traditional ones. We are parents ourselves, and understand juggling a ‘baby brain’ with baby distractions! We take two breaks to feed, change and chat, and questions are always repeated. Baby change is available, including our legendary mobile baby change which means you don’t need to leave the quiz to change baby!
Marina Fountain
Third Wednesday of the month
www.bringyourbaby.org/book-a-quiz
This 52nd annual Rye Arts Festival will run from September 15th-30th 2023. The Festival is proud to offer a full range of artistic events with world class performers from around the globe, as well as locals.
Across Rye
September 15th-30th
www.ryeartsfestival.org.uk
