Platinum Business Magazine - issue 58

THE LARGEST CIRCULATION REGIONAL BUSINESS PUBLICATION IN THE UK

ISSUE 58. APRIL 2019

Lamborghini Urus

The world’s fastest SUV

UAE

Preparing for Expo 2020

WINNERS: Sussex Super Growth Awards Gatwick Diamond Business Awards

The business of

divorce

HAS

Sheryl Sandberg BEEN THROWN OFF THE GLASS CLIFF?

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BUSINESS SURVEY

2019 CATEGORIES BEST INDEPENDENT RETAILER BUSINESSPERSON OF THE YEAR LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR COMPANY OF THE YEAR SME BUSINESS OF THE YEAR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Norman Cook (Outstanding Brightonian 2018) and Caraline Brown (Lifetime Achievement 2018)

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Thinkers Challengers Innovators Leaders DISCOVER THE SUS SE X MBA

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S P ORT

H E A LT H & WE L L B E I NG

CONTENTS 9 16 18 24 26 28 30 32 33 34 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 55 56 58 60 62 67 68 71 72 76 78 80 84 86 88 90 92 94 97 98 100 103 104 106 107 109 110 111 112 114

Local and national News Business optimism NatWest THE BIG STORY: Sheryl Sandberg The business of divorce DMH Stallard Selling your business Kreston Reeves Become an employer of choice Carpenter Box GP premises crisis Rix & Kay Fringe Benefits Brighton Fringe Cyber attacks Sherrards Super Growth Awards Gatwick Diamond Business Awards Digital-savvy companies ExTech Cleaner energy strategy Coast2Capital Health & Wellbeing Stats Planning to be well ViiSana Find the right people Thrive

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Contents

Keeping cravings at bay Ergonomic products Posturite

SHERYL SANDBERG

Why stress is bad for business Float Spa Salt treatments Salt Space 100 years of Hilton hotels Convention Connections Business Acumen Team building day out Phileas Fogg BRAIN programme SINC West Sussex Expo Net XP Clean and green business Green Growth NEXT ISSUE TCGP investing in Sussex Chestnut Tree House Awards Brighton Medieval Banquet TRAVEL: Shake Hands in... UAE Travel News Bucket List – Vietnam Motoring: Lamborghini Urus Motoring: Mercedes A250 Chambers of Commerce listings Anger Management Sport News

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GATWICK DIAMOND BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS

78

SHAKE HANDS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

The Platinum Challenge Disability Sports Dinner Women in golf Sussex Cricket Crawley RFC Ryan Fenwick Golf Academy Cowdray Park Motor Sport: Jonathan Rea Active Sussex When Business Meets Sport Victoria Mason When Business Meets Sport James Johnson Cover image: Š Matt Albiani

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MOTORING LAMBORGHINI URUS

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. Platinum Business Magazine is owned and published by The Platinum Publishing Group.

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H U RST A D

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WELCOME

Welcome W

elcome to the April issue of Platinum,

while Ian got busy with chatting to Facebook’s COO, Sheryl

crammed with vital information, news and

Sandberg.

views, health & wellbeing and a vast range of

other subjects to keep you up to date with everything that is

Maarten had a long lunch with the Chairman of the

going on in the region.

Commercial Park Group, John Baker about his plans to develop over 250,000 sq.ft. of stunning new office

The Brighton & Hove Business Awards have launched so if

accommodation in Gatwick and Haywards Heath, and

you trade in the city, get your entry in to be in with a chance

then got a tad hot under the collar about knife crime, and

to win one of the coveted trophies. The new Sussex New

makes a surprising admission about his childhood in Anger

Homes Awards is gearing up to be an incredible event.

Management – or as it has become known, his ‘grumpy old git’ column.

The Sussex Super Growth Award winners are in this issue, demonstrating the 50 fastest growing companies in the

Rose was swanning around the UAE and Vietnam, and

county, as are the winners of the Gatwick Diamond Business

Laurence has been challenged again in the Platinum

Awards. Congratulations to them all. And we launch the

Challenge.

Acumen Business Convention.

Enjoy the issue.

Danger came to the roads this month as Maarten got his

The Platinum Team

hands on the fastest SUV in the world, the Lamborghini Urus, and had a grand old time in the new Mercedes A-Class

The Team

Maarten Hoffmann – Director

Lesley Alcock

Fiona Graves

maarten@platinumpublishing.co.uk 07966 244046

Business Development Director

Events Director

Ian Trevett – Director ian@platinumpublishing.co.uk 07989 970804

Rose Dykins Travel Editor

Lydia Bunyard

Laurence Elphick

Events Executive

Head of Sport

Alan Wares

Kate Morton

Steve Elford

Head of Design

Copy Editor

Head of Web Development

7

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We also offer great financial and investment advice so whether it’s chatting through the best savings options, investing in a property or booking that skim-boarding trip to Mexico, we can help you enjoy your earnings…both now and in the future!

www.starboxaccountants.com StarBox is part of MHA Carpenter Box, an award-winning independent firm of Chartered Accountants, Auditors, Tax and Wealth Advisers based in the South East.

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Sussex

news BUSINESS SURVEY

Ladies leading the way

T

he achievements of inspiring women in business were celebrated at Crawley College in March.

Fifty senior business women gathered at Crawley College to enjoy networking and afternoon tea prepared by college students studying catering and hospitality.

The afternoon was a celebration of the achievements of women working in senior roles at companies including NatWest, DMH Stallard, KPMG, Grant Thornton, The Arora Group, Irwin Mitchell and B&CE. The event was co-hosted by Louise Perkins,

inum Publishing Group, presented the launch of DYNAMIC, the magazine for women in business, by women in business, to this all-female inspirational audience. DYNAMIC will hit the shelves in May 2019.

Lending Director at NatWest (London & South East) and Julie Kapsalis, MD at Chichester College Group.

To coincide with the celebration, Maarten Hoffmann, Director of Plat-

Paxton in the top 100

Brilliant Buses

P

A

n eye-catching new bus designed to promote positivity and encourage conversation on Brighton & Hove Buses’ University Route 25 was unveiled at Sussex University last month. Around 700 students voted on two designs by local artist Lois O’Hara, who was keen to promote positive mental health, and who is known for using bold colours and wavy patterns to help people feel energised.

Brighton & Hove Impetus CEO, Jo Crease said: “Social isolation and loneliness can affect anyone, at

axton, which designs and manufactures security systems, has been named as one of the best places to work in 2019. The Brighton-based technology company ranked in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2019 list. It’s the second year running it has made it onto the high-profile list.

Lois O’Hara

any age. We are delighted to work with Brighton and Hove Buses on their ‘Chatty Bus’ initiative at Sussex University.”

The ranking was based on glowing feedback from staff including: • 94% agree the company encourages charitable events • 92% of staff believe they can make a valuable contribution to the success of the company • 87% feel proud to work for Paxton

Best4Biz leads the way this May

B

est4Biz, the leading business conference in East Sussex, takes place on May 17th 2019 at the East Sussex National Hotel.

With over 250 guests and speakers such as Andrew McMillan, former Head of Customer Service at John

Lewis, Lord Andrew Adonis, Privy Councillor, and former Secretary of State for Transport, this one-day business conference will link you with business leaders, decision makers and local authorities.

This year’s event will focus on how to

grow your business, overcome barriers, and how local authorities and government can help you to grow your business.

Contact Carrot Events at info@carrotevents.co.uk or call 01323 723325 for more information.

Accept that some days you’re the pigeon and some days you’re the statue BUSINESS WISDOM

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Sussex

news BUSINESS SURVEY

Flexible success in Sussex

A

recent roundtable debate involving prominent senior representatives of 14 Sussex businesses, agreed that, the rewards of a flexible workforce can far outweigh any of the challenges in getting there.

Initiated by ‘Work Links’, made up of Emma Cleary (Flexibility Matters), Winnie Man (Propellernet) and Cat Harris (Baby to Boardroom), all companies involved shared some common challenges alongside their strategies for success. All currently offer flexible arrangements, with part-time, working from home, and flexible hours the most widely offered, with core hours and job shares the least popular.

Rolls-Royce promotes safer Sussex roads

R

olls-Royce have endorsed West Sussex County Council’s Parking Management Plan for Roads around the company’s Head Office and manufacturing plant at Goodwood.

success of the event, we’re really excited to be now rolling this out across Croydon and Crawley with a view to formulating some best practice guidelines with all findings.”

People who wonder whether the glass is half empty or half full are missing the point.

The glass is refillable.

BUSINESS WISDOM

Emma Cleary says: “Following the

The company has consistently voiced concern at the lack of local parking and speed controls. Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO, said: “We are delighted that the council has announced consultation for a Parking Management Plan that will have a positive impact on our community and we wholly endorse this initiative.”

Manor Royal Business Exhibition 2019

T

he Manor Royal BID is inviting companies from Manor Royal to join their neighbours for the hugely popular Manor Royal Know Your Neighbour event on May 14th 2019 at the Crowne Plaza, Crawley.

Exclusively for Manor Royal companies, it’s the largest single celebration of all things Manor Royal that last year attracted over 300 delegates and more than 65 exhibitors. It’s a great opportunity

to network, meet and get to know who does what on the Gatwick Diamond’s biggest business park. www.manorroyal.org/events

College welcomes military visit

S

ixth Form students from Hurst College recently welcomed the former Colour Sergeant of the Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment, Brian Wood MC, to speak about resilience, mental health and the importance of seeking help and support from those around you, or from professionals.

Brian was awarded the Military

Cross, one of Britain’s highest awards for gallantry in combat, following his courageous leadership when under enemy fire in Iraq, at the tender age of 23.

During a 16-year military career, he led British troops across the full spectrum of battle from operations in the Balkans to high intensity combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I choose a lazy person to do the hard job. Because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it.

BUSINESS WISDOM

Engineering excellence

Last month, a group of students from Hurst College were selected to compete in this year’s final of The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition after their exciting project, ‘Designing a more effective wastewater screen’, caught the eye of judges.

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@THEBUSINESSSHOW #TBSUK

national

news BUSINESS SURVEY

In a league of their own

B

ritish universities have boosted their world-class reputation with their best performance in annual global rankings, taking the top spot in 13 subjects, ranging from anthropology to veterinary science.

Oxford is the best for five subjects, according to the highly regarded QS rankings. Cambridge has risen to number one for the study of anatomy and physiology, and University

College London is top for education and architecture. Sussex came top for development studies, beating Harvard into second.

Experts said Britain was benefitting from the rise in tuition fees in 2012 and the expansion of student members. The UK is also popular with overseas students who pay tuition fees of up to £60,000 a year.

C’est chic but not cheap

P

aris is the world’s most expensive city, ranked alongside Hong Kong and Singapore in the annual Economist Intelligence Unit survey.

The survey compares the cost of

160 items, such as food, drink, transport, utility bills, and rent, in 133 cities, tracking whether prices have gone up or down by comparing them with the cost of living in New York, which is used as a benchmark.

The first rule of business: stay out of mine BUSINESS WISDOM

EU air is a health hazard

T

he number of early deaths caused by air pollution is double previous estimates, meaning toxic air is killing more people than tobacco smoking.

Scientists have used new data to estimate that nearly 800,000 people die prematurely each year in Europe because of dirty air, and that each life is cut short by an average of more than two years. The health damage caused by air pollution in

Royal retailer collapses

Europe is higher than the global average – its dense population and poor air results in exposure that is among the highest in the world.

The new research, published in the European Heart Journal, indicates that while air pollution hits the lungs first, its impact via the bloodstream on heart disease and strokes is responsible for twice as many deaths as respiratory diseases.

W

omenswear retailer LK Bennett has collapsed into administration, putting around 500 jobs at risk.

200 outlets have been earmarked for closure, including 41 standalone UK stores.

The firm, a favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge and Pippa Middleton, feared folding last month when they entered talks with administrators EY. But the 29-year-old company will be put into the hands of administrators.

Dan Hurd, joint administrator, said: “LK Bennett is a strong luxury UK brand, the new season collection was critically acclaimed and recent trading is up, which we hope will be attractive to prospective buyers.”

The store was founded by the ‘Queen of the Kitten Heel’ Linda Bennett. She left the brand in 2008, but returned in 2017 as a consultant and bought back the controlling stake.

The chain reported an operating loss of nearly £6 million in the year to the end of July 2017, the most recent results available for the firm. On her return, Ms Bennett invested about £11.2 million into the business.

A salesman minus enthusiasm is just another clerk BUSINESS WISDOM

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national Start up; rise up

T

news BUSINESS SURVEY

he number of new tech companies being set up in the South East continued to rise in 2018, according to new analysis by RSM. In total, there were 1,398 new software development and programming businesses. Nationally, 11,864 new tech firms were established during the year.

RSM’s Simon MacDonald said: “Given the current economic uncertainty, it’s fantastic to see that tech start-ups across the South East have continued their upward trajectory.”

RSM has recently announced its partnership with Upscale 4.0 – a six-month accelerator programme delivered by Tech Nation.

On a Sky high for world’s richest man

T

he UK’s richest man, Jim Ratcliffe, is the new owner of Team Sky, after his firm Ineos took over the professional cycling team. The team will change its name to Team Ineos mid-season, racing under its new name for the first time at the Tour de Yorkshire. The team had been seeking new funding after Sky said that it would end its ownership and sponsorship at the end of this year.

Ineos is worth £35bn, according to The Sunday Times Rich List - generating sales of around £45bn and employing 18,500 people.

There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others BUSINESS WISDOM

The Forbes Rich List

F

orbes has released its 33rd annual ranking of the world’s billionaires. There are 2,153 billionaires on the 2019 list, down from 2,208 in 2018.

Forbes commented: “The billionaire ranks prove that even the world’s richest are not immune to economic forces and the volatility of world markets.

“Of note this year was the large number of drop-offs in China, and the weakening of the euro vs. the dollar, which pushed down the dollar value of European fortunes.”

Highlights of the 2019 list include: • Jeff Bezos who remains in the top spot, increasing his net worth to $131 billion, up $19 billion from 2018.

• Bill Gates stayed at No. 2 with a fortune of $96.5 billion, up from $90 billion last year.

• Warren Buffett’s net worth fell by $1.5 billion to $82.5 billion but secured him the No. 3 spot.

• Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg dropped three places to No. 8, as his fortune fell by $8.7 billion.

• Kylie Jenner, at 21 years old, is the youngest billionaire in the world and the youngest self-made billionaire of all time.

Web giant hits travel market

G

oogle has released its own hotel search and booking site, Google Hotels. Aiming to compete with services like Airbnb, Google Hotels, launched last month, also offers last-minute booking on lodging.

Richard Holden, Google’s vice president of product management for travel, stated that, “One key benefit of using Google’s hotel booking site is the company’s well-known search functionality.”

Google unveiled Google Hotels on the same day that Airbnb announced it was acquiring last-minute hotel room booking app HotelTonight.

Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday BUSINESS WISDOM

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The South East is still one of the most optimistic regions Output growth strengthens but remains below long-run trend

P

rivate sector business conditions in the South East improved tentatively in February, according to the latest NatWest PMI® data. New business rose slightly following January’s decline, leading

to the fastest overall increase in activity in three months. Moreover, output expectations were the brightest in four months. That said, survey indicators for all three variables remained well below their long-run trend levels, and employment declined for the second month running.

The headline NatWest South East Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – improved to 52.3 in February, from January’s two-and-a-half-year low of 50.6. The latest figure signalled the fastest increase in combined manufacturing and services output for three months and was above the UK figure of 51.5. That said, the index remained well below its long-run average of 54.9. Sector data indicated that the pick-up

Key Findings • Total activity up at fastest rate since last November • New order growth resumes following January’s decline • Employment falls for second month running in overall output growth in February was driven by the service sector, while manufacturing production increased at a rate unchanged from January’s lacklustre pace.

Having declined in January for the first time since July 2016, the volume of incoming new work received by private sector companies in the South East rose in February. That said, the rate of expansion was only marginal, weighed down by a fall in manufacturing new orders.

With new work rising only fractionally in February, companies were able to further reduce their outstanding business. Backlogs declined for the fifth month running, albeit at the slowest rate over this period.

Lower levels of outstanding business indicated a degree of spare capacity in the South East’s private sector. This, combined with only a slight increase in new work, led firms to cut workforces on average for the second month running.

Input price inflation continued to weaken in February, but remained strong overall. The seasonally adjusted Input Prices Index fell for the fifth month running to a ten-month low, but remained above its long-run average.

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BUSINESS SURVEY

wth strengthens but low long-run trend Comment

test ber

umes ecline

second

s

UK

Comment

Stuart Johnstone, Managing Director, London & South East, Corporate & Commercial Banking

Sebastian Burnside, NatWest Chief Economist

Private sector business conditions in the

February’s stronger inSouth East improved tentatively in February, crease in private sector ® according to the latest NatWest PMI data. output is welcome news New business rose slightly following January's but, overall, the survey decline, leading to the fastest overall increase data confirms that the in activity in three months. Moreover, output South East is stuck in a lowexpectations growth gear were in the brightest in four months.

That said, indicators for all three the opening quartersurvey of remained well below their long-run 2019. variables Data for the first trend levels, two months point and to employment declined for the Stuart Johnstone second month running. the slowest quarterly performance since Q3NatWest South East Business The headline 2016, Activity barring a sustained March.

Index – aimprovement seasonallyinadjusted index

that measures the combined output of the

“Similarly, forward-looking indicators have picked up region’s manufacturing and service sectors – since January but remain relatively weak. New busiimproved to 52.3 in February, from January's ness rose only marginally, and the Future Activity Intwo-and-a-half-year low of 50.6. The latest dex – tracking output expectations in 12 months’ time figure signalled the fastest increase in – is at the fifth-lowest level on record despite rising to combined manufacturing and services output the highest since last October.”

for three months and was above the UK figure of 51.5. That said, the index remained well below its long-run average of 54.9. Sector data indicated that pick-up overall output With input costs rising at athe strong overall in rate, growth ininFebruary was increased driven by the service private sector firms the South East sector, their charges further.while The ratemanufacturing of inflation eased production increased a remained rate unchanged from January's slightly since Januaryat but higher than lacklustre pace. the historical average.

Demand The faster increase in total activity was reflected in firms’ expectations for the 12 months, Having declined in next January for the first time which strengthened to the highest since of last since July 2016, the volume incoming new October. work That said, the Future Output Index was received by private sector companies in still the fifth-lowest on record, as Brexit uncerthe South East rose in February. That said, the tainty continued to weigh on sentiment. rate of expansion was only marginal, weighed down by a fall in manufacturing new orders.

Business performance reacross most areas of the in With new work UK rising only fractionally in February.

There were February, companies were able to further some pockets of more reduce their outstanding business. Backlogs solid growth – for examdeclined for the fifth month running, albeit at ple, slowest in Wales, East the ratethe over this period.

Midlands and the North Lower outstanding business indicated West – levels thoughofeven here athe degree of spare in the South East's data show that ficapacity rms private sector.

This, combined with only a are struggling to maintain Seb Burnside slight increase in new work, led firms to cut the levels of performance workforces seen in 2018. on average for the second month

Capacity mained subdued

running.

“The uncertainty among businesses is having an in-

Prices creasing impact on local labour markets up and down the country. numbercontinued of regions recording a fallinin Input priceThe inflation to weaken private sector employment has risen from just February, but remained strong overall. one Thein December to nine in February – the most since lateseasonally adjusted Input Prices Index fell for 2012. the fifth month running to a ten-month low, but remained above its long-run average.

With input costs rising at a strong overall rate, private sector firms in the South East increased their charges further. The rate of inflation Methodology eased slightly since January but remained The NatWest East higher thanSouth the historical average.

PMI® is compiled by

Outlook IHS Markit from responses to questionnaires

The faster increase in total activity was sent to South East reflected in firms' expectations for the next companies that parti12 months, which strengthened to the highest cipate in IHS Markit’s since last October. That said, the Future Output UK manufacturing and Index the fifth-lowest on record, as serviceswas PMI still surveys.

Brexit uncertainty continued to weigh on sentiment.

South East Business Activity Index sa, >50 = growth since previous month

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SHERYL SANDBERG

Has the Facebook COO been thrown off the ‘Glass Cliff’?

by Ian Trevett

S

heryl Sandberg was the woman who had it all. Her high-flying career has included a stint as Chief of Staff for the United States Secretary of the Treasury, Vice President of Global Online Sales and Operations at Google and, since 2008, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Facebook.

She appears regularly in the top ten influential women lists, (in sixth place in Fortune’s 2018 ‘Most Powerful Women

in Business’), is a global business celebrity and a best-selling author (over four million copies worldwide).

Being so successful perhaps it was inevitable that people would want her to fail.

She had predicted her fate in her own best-selling book. Lean In – Women, Work And The Will To Lead was lauded as a femininist manifesto. It spells out how the odds are stacked against

women in business, and how the status quo can be challenged. But, she warned, for a woman, being a success and being liked can often be mutually exclusive. She has discovered how true this is.

Facebook’s fall from grace

As Mark Zuckerberg’s number two at Facebook, the incoming flak was inevitable. In a very short space of time, the reputation of Facebook has been shat-

COMING SOON 18

THE BIG STORY breaches, and used them to build a powerful software program to predict and influence choices at the ballot box.

The extent of Russian interference in the election of Trump via Facebook and Instagram (owned by Facebook) was also revealed. Evidence presented to a Senate committee revealed that material generated by the Kremlin had reached a 126 million American Facebook users.

The benign impact of Facebook across the globe was highlighted with the platform being blamed for spreading anti -Muslim material in Sri Lanka.

Is Facebook culpable for the actions of external forces? What cannot be denied is Facebook acted unacceptably in its efforts to control the bad PR which came its way.

Facebook went on the attack against its critics. Sandberg is thought to be instrumental in hiring rightwing attack dogs, Definers Public Affairs, which acts to negatively influence the public image of individuals, firms, candidates and organisations who oppose their clients. One target was George Soros, the billionaire who criticised the company at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Sandberg personally sent an

“Rather than answer the critics, Sandberg and Facebook spent far too much emphasis on trying to discredit them” On March 12th 2018, UN investigators condemned Facebook for playing a major role in fomenting a possible genocide against the Rohingya minority in Myanmar. The UN Myanmar investigator Yanghee Lee said, “I’m afraid that Facebook has now turned into a beast.”

Later in the year, the founders of Instagram quit the business and more data breaches were discovered. The share price plummeted.

The crime sheet

tered; from a tech wonder to a company tainted by accusations of data abuse and election interference.

In March 2018, the Guardian and the New York Times exposed the devastating Cambridge Analytica scandal. The data analytics firm that worked with Donald Trump’s election team and the Brexit campaign harvested millions of Facebook profiles of voters, in one of the tech giant’s biggest ever data

Facebook opened the door to the potential malicious activity in April 2010 when it launched a platform called Open Graph which allowed external developers to reach out to Facebook users and request permission to access a large chunk of their personal data and crucially, to access their Facebook friends' personal data too.

Facebook implemented restrictions on this in 2014, but the damage had already been done. It is estimated that Cambridge Analytica had access to 87 million Facebook profiles, from which they identified the profiles to target campaigns such as "Defeat Crooked Hilary”.

email asking if Mr. Soros had shorted Facebook’s stock suspecting Soros had a financial incentive to see the company’s share price decline. Facebook investigated into his holdings and trading activity.

Rather than answer the critics, Sandberg and Facebook spent far too much emphasis on trying to discredit them.

Sandberg in the frame

With such a charge sheet, it could be said that Sandberg deserved all the criticism and barbs that came her way, but she was getting more than her fair share? The most vicious attacks were not aimed at the big boss, Mark Zuckerberg; they were targeted at Sheryl Sandberg.

Lianna Brinded, Head of Finance at Yahoo UK, noted that, “Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg has been at the epicentre of ire for people looking to blame someone for the platform’s raft of scandals… even though she’s the Chief Operating Officer, not the boss

DYnamic THE MAGAZI NE FOR WOM EN IN BUSIN ESS ISSUE ONE • APRIL 2019

ROME

Platinum is launching a brand new national magazine Dynamic is a highly informative magazine for women in business, written by women in business

Shake hands in the eternal city

GIRL TORQUE

INTERVIEW

The new Aud i Q8

Amber Rud d shares her journey

THE BIG DEBATE

HOW

19

Glass ceiling or glass floor

Michelle Mone

LEARNT TO SLOW DO WN

of the entire group. The focus on Sandberg is part and parcel of a real-world phenomenon called the ‘glass cliff’ (see side bar).”

What is a glass cliff?

The glass cliff is the phenomenon of women being appointed to leadership roles, such as corporate executives or election candidates during periods of crisis or downturn, when the chance of failure is highest.

The term was first coined by University of Exeter researchers Michelle Ryan and Alexander Haslam in 2005. In 2003, The Times ran a feature suggesting that women leaders have a negative impact on company performance. Ryan and Haslam looked at the what happened at FTSE 100 firms before and after men and women board members were brought onboard.

They found that those firms that brought women to their boards were likelier to have experienced a consistently bad performance in the preceding five months.

Emily Stewart writing for vox.com, writes, “Women are elevated to positions of power when things are going poorly. When they reach the upper ranks of power, they’re put into precarious positions and therefore have a higher likelihood of failure, meaning there’s a greater risk for them to fall.

“When the going gets rough, organisations look for a change of pace and often believe they find it in someone who isn’t their typical executive — in other words, someone who isn’t a white man.”

Anna Beninger, at Catalyst, a nonprofit focused on promoting women in business says: “When an organisation is in crisis, women are often seen as being able to come in and take care of a problem. They’re effectively handed the mess to clean up.”

Kathryn Kolbert of the Athena Centre for Leadership Studies wrote in a similar vein: “There’s little doubt the company is facing critical challenges and has made some egregious mistakes.

The fact that Sandberg was brought in to be the ‘adult in the room’ does not absolve Zuckerberg of responsibility.

Michelle Ryan

“Sometimes these situations work out, and the women put in charge are successful in orchestrating a turnaround and righting the ship.

Often, however, they don’t.”

“Mark Zuckerberg is the CEO of a multibillion-dollar company, and he’s been at it a while. He’s a grown-up. He ought to be responsible. But from what I see, there isn’t the sense that both should be accountable.”

The BBC’s Natalie Sherman concurred: “Mr Zuckerberg's status as founder and controlling shareholder has offered him a measure of protection.

In research for the Harvard Business Review, Susanne Bruckmüller and Nyla R. Branscombe conducted an experiment where college students were asked to choose between two equally qualified candidates for CEO of a fictional company, one male and one female.

They found that, “when the company had been led by men and was doing well, 62% of the students chose the male candidate. But when the male-led company was in crisis, 69% chose the female candidate.

“One thing these results reveal, we believe, is a status quo bias. As long as a company headed by men performs well, there’s no perceived need to change its pattern of male leadership. Only if male leaders have manoeuvered an organisation into trouble is a switch to a female leader preferred.”

COMING SOON 20

THE BIG STORY ness School research undertaken by Professors Flynn and Anderson in 2003. They told business students the real-life story of Heidi Roizen who beChristy Glass, a professor at Utah State came a successful venture capitalist University, notes, “This is very much by using her outgoing personality and “In some ways, the anger directed at consistent with the kind of blame and vast network which includMs Sandberg rep“Being the ‘adult’ bestowed ed the most powerful busiresents a familiar ness leaders in the techstory. Repeated acresponsibility upon Sandberg’s nology sector. Except for ademic studies have shown that firms are shoulders. It was to become a burden half of the students they changed Heidi’s name to more likely to install that few could have coped with” Howard. female leaders at times of crisis - a phenomenon known scrutiny that women corporate leaders Asked for their perceptions, the stuin academic world as the ‘glass cliff’. receive when they are managing their dents saw Howard as being appealing, companies through crisis.” yet Heidi was seen as selfish and not “And ultimately, many of those womthe sort of person you would want to en end up taking the fall for problems.

The warning comes true hire or work for. Sheryl has discovered Female leaders are also subjected to Sheryl Sandberg could hardly have been that she is seen as a Heidi not a Howpersonal attacks of a sort that men like surprised about the negativity comard.

Mr Zuckerberg tend to escape. In this ing her way. Her seminal book Lean In, case, media accounts, quoting anonwarned women just what to expect.

When she joined Facebook, her role was ymous employees, have provided deto generate income from a popular yet tailed studies of Ms Sandberg's leadIn her chapter entitled ‘Success and unprofitable brand. She was dubbed the ership flaws, faulting her for things like Likeability’ she cited the Harvard Busi‘adult in the room’ due to her age and inexperience, which contrasted with the young geeks in residence.

The public long ago wrote him off as a robot, characterised by an uncomfortable amalgam of confidence and awkwardness.

creating a clique-y environment hostile to negative feedback.”

Being the adult bestowed responsibility upon Sandberg’s shoulders. It was to become a burden that few could have coped with.

When Wired writer Virginia Heffernan attended a Lean In dinner in 2012, she worried about the overwhelming challenge facing Sandberg: “In person Sandberg is dazzling. I don’t think I’ve ever met a better host. At a table of decidedly anti-corporate women, Sandberg engaged, and seemed to win over, everyone.

“But from the first minute I saw her in person in 2012 I was very, very concerned about Facebook. It dawned on me that Sandberg was human — a small, vain, bright, self-absorbed, convivial everywoman with a talent for money and fame — and that no one human, even Sandberg, could disciMark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg

DYnamic THE MAGAZI NE FOR WOM EN IN BUSIN ESS ISSUE ONE • APRIL 2019

ROME

Shake hands in the eternal city

GIRL TORQUE

INTERVIEW

The new Aud i Q8

Amber Rud d shares her journey

THE BIG DEBATE

HOW

21

Glass ceiling or glass floor

Michelle Mone

LEARNT TO SLOW DO WN

Sheryl Sandberg timeline

pline the galactic, epochal spiritual wildfire that Mark Zuckerberg had inflicted on the Internet… The moral responsibility of its leaders is crushing.

Born in on August 28th 1969 in Washington, D.C., she studied Economics at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She did her undergraduate thesis with economist Lawrence Summers, who later became the Chief Economist at the World Bank. He appointed Sandberg in 1991 and they worked on projects that helped developing countries for the next two years.

“No wonder Sheryl Sandberg has failed so spectacularly as an Empress. Everyone fails in that role. As just one human, she has been unable to assume or even approximate imperial responsibility that would have eluded Genghis Khan.”

Sandberg received a Master’s in Business Administration from Harvard in 1995. Summers became deputy secretary of the Treasury in 1995 and Sandberg joined him as his chief of staff in 1996.

In 2001 Sandberg joined the Google and soon became Vice President of Global Online Sales and Operations, as well as Google’s philanthropy arm, Google.org, which focused on the problems of climate change, public health, and poverty.

Sandberg was recruited as Facebook’s first COO in 2008, with the remit of creating an advertising strategy for Facebook that allowed the company to finally become profitable.

Leaning in – and getting smacked

Lean In is a call for women to be ambitious and believe in themselves. Sandberg writes: “All through my life, culturally reinforced signals cautioned me against being branded as too smart or too successful. It starts young. As a girl, you know that being smart is good in lots of ways, but it doesn’t make you particularly popular or attractive to boys. In school, I was called the ‘smartest girl in the class’. I hated that description. Who wants to go to prom with the smartest girl in the class?”

Sandberg admits that the desire to mute achievements in order to be liked has followed her in her career. And if one of the most successful businesswomen in the world feels like this, what chance do other women in business have?

Inevitably, just by writing a book such as Lean In, makes her the smartest girl all over again - and who likes a smart girl. Apparently many don’t.

The failings of Facebook have led many to revisit Lean In, and twist the knife.

In December, Michelle Obama said in an interview that, “It’s not always enough to lean in because that shit doesn’t work all the time.”

Last year, a group of Duke University psychology professors suggested that the mantra of ‘lean in’ might prompt people to view women not only as the solution to the problem, but also as the cause of it.

She published ‘Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead’ (2013) and launched Lean In, an education and community-building organisation for women in business.

In 2015 Sandberg’s husband, Dave Goldberg, died suddenly when on a treadmill whilst on holiday in Mexico. She wrote about his death and coping with grief in ‘Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy’ (2017).

Facebook’s welcome sign outside its building in Menlo Park, California

COMING SOON 22

THE BIG STORY Nathalie Molina Niño, author of Leapfrog: The New Revolution for Women Entrepreneurs, declared that Lean In missed the mark because it failed to reflect the experience of most women who are balancing work and family: “It’s applicable only to women in the corporate world and that’s a fairly small, marginal group in contrast to what is true for most women.”

people argued that I did not spend enough time writing about the difficulties women face when they don’t have a partner. They were right.”

But it is still an inspiring book and a valuable addition to the debate on gender equality. Sandberg personifies the struggles that women face. She has made mistakes and the decision to discredit opponents of Facebook is impossible to defend. What matters now is how she and her fellow Facebook leaders respond to the challenge of making the platform a force for good, banishing those who spread hate and preventing the abuse of its power for political or financial gain.

The Guardian’s Arwa Mahdawi went further, “We need to push back against corporate feminism. Capitalism has coopted feminism and turned it into a way for privileged women to advance their careers and sell books. Having more women in powerful positions means nothing if all they’re doing “If you are looking for an allis leaning into exploitative capitalencompassing solution to ist conventions.

Sandberg is a very gender inequality then this isn’t clear example of the book – but does any book that.”

answer all the questions?”

Some of the criticisms of Sandberg’s Lean In are valid yet also feel unfair. If you are looking for an all-encompassing solution to gender inequality then this isn’t the book – but does any book answer all the questions? In any case she never claimed her book had all the answer, quite the opposite in fact.

The book is essentially about women challenging the internal barriers that prevent them achieving their full potential. She firmly asserts that institutional barriers exist that act against women and she supports those women who battle these. There are plenty of books on sexism in the workplace. Sandberg argues that both barriers have to be addressed– Lean In focuses on one side of the battle.

In the introduction, she admits that parts of the book will be most relevant to women fortunate enough to have choices. After the sudden and shocking death of her husband in 2015, she reflected “When I wrote Lean In, some

The appointment of Nick Clegg as Head of global policy and communications may help. In Britain, he is discredited as the politician who back-tracked on tuition fees, but he will be working to make the business more accountable.

For Sandberg, she will have to live with the fact that being successful may come at a cost for a woman. As the Telegraph’s Olivia Rudgard summises: “Women are concluding that leaning in is all very well, but employers are still not meeting them halfway. And Sheryl Sandberg may be learning that while you can lean in all you want, the world will still treat you like a woman.”

Although many commentators have cited Sandberg as an example of a women one the edge of a glass cliff, it is not strictly true as Facebook was hardly struggling when she joined. But after receiving so much vitriol it would be understandable if she feels like she has been thrown off a cliff, glass or otherwise.

DYnamic THE MAGAZI NE FOR WOM EN IN BUSIN ESS ISSUE ONE • APRIL 2019

ROME

Shake hands in the eternal city

GIRL TORQUE

INTERVIEW

The new Aud i Q8

Amber Rud d shares her journey

THE BIG DEBATE

HOW

23

Glass ceiling or glass floor

Michelle Mone

LEARNT TO SLOW DO WN

The business of divorce What happens to a business during a marriage breakdown? Marwa Hadi-Barnes, Senior Associate at law firm DMH Stallard, shares her advice on how to avoid a business fallout in the event of a divorce

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or business owners, the complications that a divorce entails will often reach well beyond maintenance arrangements and parental responsibilities.

Many individuals will expect to share their property and other personal assets with their spouse in the event of their divorce, however, they are often surprised to discover their business interests are also within the scope of the family court.

What power does the family court have?

Even if a spouse has little or no day-today involvement, the family court still has wide ranging powers to make orders in relation to the business.

Any shares owned in a limited company by either party constitute property and the court may order their transfer to the other spouse.

The court may also order the sale of the shares, but this will depend on the circumstances of the case and if this is the main source of family income, this may not be the most appropriate solution. Broadly speaking, the family court does not have the power to deal with shares owned by a company.

However, in 2013 the Supreme Court ruled that in rare circumstances it can.

How to protect your business

Given the family court’s far reaching powers, it is imperative that business owners take steps in advance to protect their assets.

We strongly advise that individuals considering marriage (and who wish to preserve their wealth in the event of a marriage breakdown) enter into a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement.

Although the courts are not bound to uphold the terms of a prenuptial agreement, they are likely to carry substantial weight provided the following measures are put in place when entering into the agreement: • Both parties have taken independent legal advice before signing the agreement •F ull financial disclosure has taken place • The agreement is signed at least 28 days before the date of the wedding • The agreement is fair and reasonable

“Given the family court’s far reaching powers, it is imperative that business owners take steps in advance to protect their assets”

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and meets both parties’ reasonable needs as well as those of the children A prenuptial agreement can regulate how to best protect the business moving forward. The agreement can also provide for shareholdings, business

LEGAL “A prenuptial agreement can regulate how to best protect the business moving forward” income and capital acquired through dividends, to be ring fenced.

to disclose information relating to the company to a shareholder’s spouse.

Postnuptial agreements are signed after the wedding takes place. This can be due to the couple being unable to sign the document 28 days before the wedding or a change in individual circumstances, such as a sale of the business, a buy-out or business restructure.

The court has wide ranging powers to deal with business assets on an individual’s divorce. However, there are measures that can be taken to mitigate this risk as far as possible. A word of caution – disposing of shares or other assets shortly before or during the divorce process will be viewed negatively by the family court, which has the power to set aside any transactions.

Shareholders’ agreement

The agreement can prescribe a method for valuing the shares in the event of a shareholder’s divorce. It can ensure that on divorce, shares cannot be transferred to the shareholder’s spouse without the board’s consent or if transferred, they must be offered back to the owner. The agreement could also provide for limited rights

Marwa Hadi-Barnes can be contacted on: T: 01293 605000 E: marwa.Hadi@dmhstallard.com www.dmhstallard.com

Case Study Mr A started his business shortly after university and this has gone from strength to strength. He now has a limited company employing over 50 employees and he is a director and the majority shareholder. Mr A had a relationship with Miss B and has a child from that relationship.

Although Mr A and Miss B are no longer in a relationship, they amicably co-parent their son.

Mr A meets Miss C, who works as a teaching assistant. They are engaged to be married. Several of Mr A’s friends have been through a divorce and have suggested that he obtain legal advice. Mr A’s main priority is to protect his business.

Mr A has been advised to enter into a prenuptial agreement with Miss C. Mr A was initially hesitant to raise this with his fiancé. He eventually did and they both disclosed their assets to ensure any agreement between them was fair, this involved relatively lengthy negotiation. This was finally signed by them both but only 14 days before the wedding.

Given a prenuptial agreement is less likely to be upheld if it is entered into less than 28 days from the date of the wedding, Mr A was also advised to enter into a postnuptial agreement.

His family solicitor referred him to a colleague in the corporate department to have the existing shareholders’ agreement varied, this would specify that shares could not be transferred to any of the shareholder’s spouses without the board’s consent and specified what information could be disclosed as well as how to prescribe a value to the shareholding. Whilst Mr A’s main concern was the business, he had also inherited a rental property from his parents which he wished to protect and leave to his son in the event of his death. His family solicitor advised him of the importance of reviewing his testamentary affairs.

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Time to sell?

There comes a time when many business owners want to sell up. Darren Hurdle, Director in the Corporate Finance team at Kreston Reeves, advises on the correct plans and preparations for a stress-free business exit of your own business over a six to twelve-month window, that can leave just 12 months to get the business into sale shape.

Selling a business will for most people be a once in a lifetime event, and there will be other considerations over value that will need to be considered. These might include what happens to staff, how the business might change under new ownership, and any tax implications following the sale. It is a complicated process and one where specialist advice and guidance is needed.

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very business owner will at some point ask themselves whether or not to sell the business they will have worked hard to build. It might be on nearing retirement, ill-health, a well-timed approach from a competitor or simply the desire for a new adventure, but whatever the reason there are a few things business owners need to keep in mind.

The best time to sell a business is when it can achieve the highest price, and that is usually driven by a successful trading record, increasing profits and the potential for future growth. It is a process that ideally should not be rushed, starting two to three years before the preferred exit.

And given that it can take up to 12 months to complete a sale and that the acquiring business may well ask you to manage an orderly handover

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The timescale for a sale is a primary consideration. That includes thinking about your own timeframe to exit, the valuation you hope to achieve for the business, and the wider market conditions in your own business sector.

The first step will be a pre-sale ‘tidy -up’ to get the business into sale shape. This will typically include the following: • Ensuring customer and supplier contracts are all up to date • Ensuring employees all have contracts and that there are no outstanding employment issues • Reviewing the business tax position and resolving any taxation issues with HMRC • Focussing on cost control to maximise profitability • Preparing financial information and management accounts that a

buyer will need to see well in advance • Looking at eligibility for tax reliefs on the sale • Reducing, where possible, working capital requirements • Extracting surplus assets from the business, if appropriate It is important to be able to sell ‘blue sky’ growth opportunities for any would-be owners, and this pre-sale tidy-up can help you to spot those opportunities and make them easier to evidence to buyers.

There are various sale opportunities: a trade sale to a competitor, a management buyout or a new management buy-in, a sale to a private equity investor, or a recapitalisation that allows for the business owner to take out part of their equity but retaining a stake and role in the management of the business. For larger businesses a flotation on the stock market is also an option.

Finding a buyer is not always straightforward and this is where specialist corporate finance advisers will add value to the process. They will look at and advise on the best approach and options to secure the highest value.

They will work on your behalf to find suitable buyers, developing in the first

FINANCE instance a list of potentially interested companies for discussion. Once a buyer has been found, your corporate finance adviser will manage the sale through negotiations, due diligence and legal documentation through to final completion.

risk of losing key staff, adverse changes to the wider economy, adverse changes in legislation, and unrealistic vendor expectations.

Entrepreneurs Relief (ER) gives a 10% Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rate on qualifying sales meaning ER can save up to £1m in CGT. The ER rules changed in October 2018 so checking and planTax planning for the sale also plays an ning ahead to make sure your business essential role in maximising your net sale would qualify is worthwhile. A key personal cash once the deal is done change was an extension (for sales on and HMRC takes their share. The overor after April 6th 2019) to the qualifyOccasionally a sale can collapse, even ing ownership perivery late in the process. Understanding “Depending on your priorities, by looking od for ER from one to two years, so if the reasons why a ahead to longer term aims and plans changes are needsale can fall through and, where possible, when structuring the sale, a more tax ed to your business structure this addressing them in advance can help efficient result may be achieved overall” cannot be left to the final 12 months prevent a failed deal. phase. Pre-sale tax planning can also Reasons include issues that arise via all value you receive after tax will not involve family members or potentially the due diligence stage, financials not just depend on the gross proceeds, but Trusts. being what was previously advised, the also on how the sale is structured. Is the price fixed on sale or is an element “What next?” is an important quesdependent of future performance? tion when planning to sell. Depending Also, the form of consideration, is it as on your priorities, by looking ahead to cash, loans, shares or a combination? longer term aims and plans when structuring the sale, a more tax efficient result may be achieved overall. Also, after the sale, whether it is the investment of surplus cash for your pension fund or making lifetime gifts, taking professional finance advice is critical.

Darren Hurdle is a Director in the Corporate Finance team at accountants, business and financial advisers Kreston Reeves and can be contacted by email: darren.hurdle@krestonreeves.com T: 0330 124 1399 www.krestonreeves.com

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Become an

employer of choice David Crowter, Tax Partner at MHA Carpenter Box, explains how tax-efficient employee benefits can retain valued staff and help your business at the same time

David Crowter

I

n these days of low unemployment a common complaint amongst business owners revolves around recruiting, and retaining the top people.

By using tax efficient, flexible employee benefits you can deliver greater value to your employees without necessarily increasing your costs. This can help you to keep up with the competition in both attracting and retaining your top talent.

Benefits packages

In addition to considering the usual benefits, employers can design benefits packages which provide what employees really want without costing the employer a fortune. These include: • Diversifying the reward structure to include other forms of remuneration such as shares, securities or options •U sing salary sacrifice for pension contributions and other tax or National Insurance Contributions (NIC) favoured benefits • I ntroducing voluntary benefits where employers can use their purchasing power to obtain reduced rates for benefits

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Reward structure

the Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) share option scheme. EMI options can be granted to employees on a discretionary basis. This gives the

In addition to motivating the workforce, some plans can have monetary benefits for the company by having no requirement to pay employer’s NIC on rewards. Some equity-based rewards can also offer further valuable corporation tax savings for companies.

employee the right to purchase shares in the company in the future at a price which is agreed at the time the options are granted.

Long term reward structures are effective in attracting and retaining talent.

Employees can be offered shares, or the option to acquire shares at a future date.

“By using tax efficient, flexible Other types of incentive awards may be struc- employee benefits you can deliver tured with the gains greater actual value to your taxed at the lower capital gains tax rates, givemployees without necessarily ing the employees more increasing your costs” money in their pocket.

Enterprise Management Incentive

A popular tax-efficient scheme for smaller entrepreneurial companies is

EMI plans have no tax charge for the company and the company will often be entitled to a corporation tax deduction for the growth in value of the underlying shares. For the employee, the growth in the share value, above the

FINANCE value when they were granted the option, will be subject to the lower rates of capital gains tax. This is instead of income tax and any potential NIC when they ultimately sell the shares.

Salary sacrifice

Although in most cases there is income tax relief for pension contributions, there is no relief for NICs. However, NIC savings can be achieved via salary sacrifice arrangements whereby the employee agrees to take a reduction in salary and the employer makes an equivalent contribution to the pension scheme.

Salary sacrifice arrangements for other tax-favoured benefits can also achieve both tax and/or NIC savings.

Approval should be sought from HMRC to ensure that the relevant conditions for salary sacrifice are met.

Note that salary sacrifice may not be beneficial for all employees.

No single benefit structure will motivate or suit every individual. However, using a range of awards, benefits and flexible packages can help to satisfy the diversity of most workforces.

For more information get in touch with our friendly team of tax and business advisers by calling 01293 227670 or visit our website www.carpenterbox.com

The state of manufacturing UK SME manufacturers and engineers remain optimistic and confident about future growth, despite the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, rising production costs and skill shortages.

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rawing on national and regional insight from over 200 clients and contacts, the findings of the 2018-19 MHA Manufacturing & Engineering Survey Report identifies opportunities and concerns facing UK manufacturing and engineering businesses.

The report details the national findings (covering England, Wales and Scotland) and also highlights interesting regional variations. Sector expert Matt Rooney, Engineering Policy Adviser at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, has provided commentary throughout the report.

National findings

The report identified some key findings within the sector: • 71% of manufacturers reported revenue growth in the last year and 78% predict business growth over the next 12 months.

• 51% have high or above average business expectations over the next 12 months (increasing to 54% over the next three years) and 50% are looking to increase their capital investment spend in the coming year.

• Only 30% cite Brexit uncertainty and trading tariff concerns as their main barrier to future success and just 34% have a strategy in place for post Brexit – 66% feel they cannot plan for the impact until they know the Government’s strategy and EU response.

• 92% believe rising production costs will impact their business next year, but in a positive move, 67% intend to absorb any price increases, rather than pass them onto customers,

and 52% intend to achieve this through improved productivity and efficiency.

• Staff recruitment is an equally big issue; 81% of respondents report problems in finding people, yet 49% expect to increase payroll numbers next year. Out of these, 63% will opt for apprentices.

South Coast findings

Optimism around turnover growth over the next 12 months was slightly lower than the national figure, with 60% of businesses predicting growth. Retention and recruitment are an even bigger issue this year than last year, with 89% of respondents finding it difficult to recruit staff and over a quarter (27%) already losing staff to the Brexit effect (the national figure is 20%).

Anecdotally, although not specifically covered in the survey, is the growing concern around the lack of availability of commercial/factory space for both new and expanding businesses in the region. Almost unbelievably the survey again confirms that the message around R&D tax credits is still not being heard by enough businesses which is a frustration, given the scope of the relief available and the importance of the pay-back for businesses that invest in innovation.

Read the full Report at www.carpenterbox.com/ manufacturing-report

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The GP premises crisis

Is there a solution?

Stewart Gregory, Partner in Rix & Kay’s health care team and leading expert on GP premises, takes a look and asks if there really is a crisis and what can be done to solve it?

Last month the British Medical Association (BMA) published the results of its annual survey of GPs. With a startling 80% of GPs saying that their premises are not fit for future purpose, the BMA has called on the government to ‘urgently invest’ in GP surgeries across the country

Stewart Gregory

Is there really a crisis?

The delivery of primary health care in the UK is never far from the front pages and, whilst hospitals and A&E waiting times often dominate the headlines, the future of GPs in the UK and the growing demand for their services remain at the centre of both political and public debate.

If leading opinion formers and thinktanks are to be believed, then there certainly is a GP premises crisis. Stewart explains: “How GPs deliver quality

care is a complex issue, and keeping track of the proposed solutions is equally challenging. There are two prominent reviews that are really leading the debate.

be a focus on how GPs can maintain and update their surgeries and health care centres to ensure they have modern facilities that can deliver the right level of care.

“In January 2019, the Department of Health and Social Care published the GP Partnership Review. This review was led by Dr Nigel Watson who remarked that the GP Partnership model was ‘fragile but not dead’ and ‘doing nothing was not an option’. One of the key findings in the review was that GPs are reluctant to take on the burden of owning or managing surgeries because of the huge financial risks.

This is leading to GPs leaving general practice and deterring new ones from joining.

“Together these challenges are creating the perfect storm. GPs are leaving

“Almost simultaneously, NHS England is about to publish its long-awaited GP Premises Review. In fact, as you read this it may well have been published.

The Review is being chaired by NHS England’s Director of Primary Care Delivery, Dominic Hardy, and will scrutinise the challenges facing GPs when managing their surgeries. As well as the financial risks, there will certainly

“GPs are leaving practice because of the financial risk inherent in running a surgery whilst the premises themselves are not fit for purpose”

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LEGAL practice because of the financial risk inherent in running a surgery whilst the premises themselves are not fit for purpose.”

Are there solutions?

The GP Partnership Review has made a series of recommendations all aimed at reducing the wide range of risks that many GPs believe outweigh the benefits of entering into general practice. When it comes to GP premises, the recommendations centre around introducing more flexible lease terms and service charge provisions. There are also recommendations to deal with “last-man-standing” issues and to consider alternative business models, such as Limited Liability Partnerships, that can separate property ownership from other aspects of the partnership model.

Stewart comments: “Clarity on the full recommendations for GP premises will be properly established when the GP Premises Review is published.

However, the recent survey published by the BMA certainly shines a light on some of the key issues that need to

be addressed, including lack of space both in terms of consulting rooms and waiting areas and a lack of disabled access.

“There are also concerns around access to funding, with many GPs reporting significant delays in NHS grant applications to expand or improve their premises. ETTF (Estates and Technol-

“If leading opinion formers and think-tanks are to be believed, then there certainly is a GP premises crisis”

ogy Transformation Fund) money is due to have delivered £900m of investment into primary care facilities and technology by 2020 but whether this target will be met remains to be seen.

“On top of all this, NHS England has recently published details of new network contracts which are due to start in July 2019. All practices will be required to sign up to these contracts, which will deliver more services in the community – those services being embedded in general practice. Expanding services to be provided from the existing general practice estate clearly expands the risk GPs face.”

GP Briefing - De-risking practice partnerships and premises Rix & Kay will be hosting a formal briefing to review the recommendations of the GP Premises Review. For more information about this event please contact Stewart Gregory.

Stewart Gregory has 20 years’ experience of working with GPs, helping them to plan, develop and manage primary care estates. For more information email stewartgregory@rixandkay. co.uk

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BRIGHTON FRINGE

Fringe benefits The Brighton Fringe needs your support to keep it at the forefront of the city’s arts calendar, and help to continue its showcase of world-class performances every year in Brighton

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righton Fringe is England’s largest arts festival, attracting an annual audience of over half a million people to the city every year for one month in May and early June, bringing with it an economic impact of £14 million to the local economy. However, it is perhaps less known that they are in fact a registered charity, and receive less than 3% of their income from public sources and no local council funding whatsoever.

The Brighton Fringe venues you see across Brighton & Hove are all independent businesses and Brighton Fringe Ltd, the organisation that facilitates and enables performers and event organisers to take part in the festival, receives no income from the venues, their bars or brand activations.

As Brighton Fringe grows, it is becoming increasingly difficult for them as an organisation to sustain their current efforts. They are reliant on the generosity of the partnerships they build with businesses, enabling them to continue nurturing the arts across the region. They provide a year-round professional resource for people looking to take part in the festival, putting together bursaries, awards and international seasons, and support for audiences and participants with special access needs, as well as an extensive training academy with over 40 free-to-attend workshops and more than 1,000 attendances each year.

They would love to have your help and support this year. There are several ways to get involved and support

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Brighton Fringe. Tiered sponsorship packages are available starting at £3,000 with exciting, fun and sometimes unconventional ways for you to engage with your clients, customers and staff in return.

There are many benefits to sponsoring Brighton Fringe: • Increasing the visibility and awareness of your business in the city – this can attract new customers and clients but is also a great way to engage with prospective employees and allow current employees to feel proud to be part of your business.

• Positive brand alignment and exposure across their significant print, digital and social media reach with bespoke campaigns (over 2.3 million views).

• Unique hospitality experiences for both staff and clients at Brighton Fringe venues.

• High impact experiential opportunities at Fringe City – the weekend showcase event in the centre of Brighton & Hove (over 100,000 footfall during the festival).

• Directly supporting new talent in the region, giving them the opportunity to showcase their work both here, nationally and internationally.

• Impacting the work Brighton Fringe does in the community to engage with groups currently not accessing the arts and making them more accessible for all.

There is also an opportunity to join an exclusive group of close supporters and become a member of the Brighton Fringe Patrons’ Circle. This is a group of individuals and organisations with a special relationship with Brighton Fringe. The benefits for members of the Patrons’ Circle are: • Platinum Membership - All the benefits of the Platinum Friend membership which includes priority ticketing, a dedicated phone service, discount on bars, restaurants, spas and hotels year round • Invites to VIP receptions, networking opportunities and launch parties before and during Brighton Fringe • Pre-festival drinks and post-festival feedback session with the CEO of Brighton Fringe, Julian Caddy • Acknowledgment in the main Brighton Fringe brochure and on the website • Be the first to hear of new developments and help support opportunities for outreach projects in the community • The donation is tax deductible For more information and a sponsorship pack please contact Karla Hancock, Development & Sales Manager at karla.hancock@brightonfringe.org or call 01273 764904.

LEGAL

Cyber attacks and data breaches Hope for the best, prepare for the worst Cyber attacks and data breaches are on the rise and it’s easy to believe they’re all caused by criminal hackers out for financial gain. However, this is not always the case, says Rachel Nicholas, Solicitor at Sherrards Employment Law and highlight that it is more important than ever to tackle cyber breaches swiftly and effectively.

What can you do to minimise data breaches?

Rachel Nicholas

S

tatistics compiled by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) have indicated that four of the five most common causes of data breaches involved human error or process failures.

In October 2018, the supermarket chain Morrisons was found vicariously liable by the High Court for the actions of a rogue employee, and in the same month the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued a staggering £16.4 million fine to Tesco Bank for a 2016 cyber incident. Such cases illustrate that employers are becoming increasingly accountable for their employees’ actions

Employees are often the weakest link in the cyber security chain, either through negligent actions or with an intent to cause harm either to the employer or some other party. It can be notoriously difficult to stop a rogue employee from acting dishonestly. It is impossible to completely eradicate a cyber threat.

However, there are a number of things that need to be considered from a HR and employment law perspective to help prevent breaches occurring, including: • Training employees on all aspects of data protection from induction stage onwards. A well-trained employee is more likely to be able to identify a threat or know what action to take if a breach occurs. Regular refresher training is recommended.

• To ensure that employees have taken on board the training, and are putting it into practice, they can be tested from time to time. For example, an IT business can generate a bogus but harmless email with a suspect inter-

net link within it. This can be sent, without warning, to employees, and a record kept of those who clicked on the suspect link.

• There are often obvious warning signs that an employee may pose a threat e.g. an aggrieved employee or an employee working their notice and leaving to join a competitor. Identifying issues early can help prevent a data breach from occurring.

• Practise a culture of security throughout your organisation. For example, distribute to employees a list of the top 10 cyber security risks, and update and redistribute this regularly to keep cyber security “front of mind.”

• Ensure your data protection policy is communicated to all employees and that it clearly defines responsibilities and the consequences of non-compliance.

• Ensure your employment contracts have up to date terms to give you recourse if an employee is guilty of causing a cyber breach. The importance of the subject can be reinforced in the minds of employees by making negligent actions with regard to cyber security a specified disciplinary offence.

Ultimately, organisations need to tackle cyber breaches from all angles, including security software as well as policies, incident plans and clear and ongoing staff education and training.

If you require legal advice, please contact the team on 01273 834120 or visit www.sherrardslaw.com

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The Sussex Super Growers Congratulations to this year’s finalists who represent the fastest-growing privately-owned companies in Sussex omy with sector strengths that include construction, manufacturing, retail, motor trade, IT and aviation.

T

With such a diverse economy, the Sussex Super Growth Awards 2019 returned for a fifth year to recognise the highest-growing, privately-owned, businesses across the region. It was a delight to see so many great success stories and an opportunity to celebrate innovative and evolving companies.

Sussex-based businesses are signifi cant contributors to the national econ-

Lloyds Bank, asb law, and Kreston Reeves compiled a shortlist of finalists based upon profitable turnover growth over a four-year accounting period, using information filed at Companies House.

he fastest-growing companies in Sussex were honoured at a ceremony at the American Express Community Stadium in March, hosted by Jeremy Taylor. The Sussex Super Growth Awards opened with a welcome speech from Platinum Publishing Group’s Maarten Hoffmann

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Regardless of their position in this year’s Sussex Super Growth Awards, inclusion is a real testament to success. The finalists should be proud to be part of such a fantastic gathering of Sussex businesses.

The winning company, with an incredible growth of 189.9% over a four-year accounting period, was PSI-Pay Ltd. Based in Horsham, PSI-Pay has been in operation since 2007, providing payment solutions to businesses globally.

1st Central Insurance Management Ltd (last year’s winner) and Onwatch Multifire Ltd also posted growth figures of over 100% over the four-year accounting period.

SUPER GROWTH AWARDS Keynote speakers

Russell Bell, asb law Businesses in Sussex continue to grow rapidly and to contribute greatly to the prosperity of the region. By creating new markets, new jobs and new product lines, entrepreneurs in the county are leading the way in innovation and dynamic leadership.

It’s the focus and determination of the businesses we meet which seems to be a vital factor in their success.

Keeping it simple and concentrating on a number of key issues which they can address quickly seems to be a common thread, along with a longer-term view to make sure that they’re heading in the right direction.

Richard Spofforth, Kreston Reeves Kreston Reeves is very proud to be a sponsor of the Sussex Super Growth awards for a number of years.

It is a great place to do business and a great place to live. Most of all it is a chance to congratulate the top growth companies in the county and thank them for their hard work, drive and determination which we feel really impacts on the prosperity of this great region. Finalists should be proud of their achievements and are an inspiration to the region’s wider business community.

Maarten Hoffmann

Nicola Haigh, Lloyds Bank On behalf of the team at Lloyds I’d like to offer huge congratulations to all the winners. It is one of my favourite events as we get to celebrate all the high-growing businesses in Sussex. With all the uncertainty around us, it is a testimony to the resilience of the winning businesses who focus on people, talent and the underlying core strategy.

Jeremy Taylor

Lloyds have also been going through an interesting growth period over the last couple of years.

We have committed £18 billiion of new lending to British businesses to support our core strategy of helping British businesses grow.

See over for the list of winners >>> Sussex Super Growth Awards Founding Sponsors

Media Partner

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Join us at one of our “So what now?” events...

We are hosting Finance Focus “So what now?” breakfast briefings designed for company directors, owners, financial managers and others keen to keep abreast of the implications of business, tax and finance developments.

The events will aim to provide incisive advice and practical tips on how you should respond to and plan for your company’s financial health in the coming year - whatever our status in, or out, of the EU.

Topics covered will include: • Responding to the changing economic landscape – business post-Brexit Presented by respected guest speakers: Mike Herd, Executive Director, Sussex Innovation Centre (Sussex event) and Jonathan Neame, Chief Executive, Shepherd Neame (Kent event) • Funding for growth • Tax planning post-Brexit The event will conclude with a Q&A panel session during which our expert panellists will share practical takeaways which you can apply when planning for your business.

Locations and dates 2019: Thursday 25 April (8:00am-10:30am) South Lodge, Horsham, Sussex Wednesday 8 May (8:00am-10:30am) Mercure Hotel, Maidstone, Kent “With a strong commitment to delivering practical advice, I know this event will always provide tips that I can directly apply to help my business” Christian Poulsen – E C Parker Insurance

How to book: Places are limited. For further information or to register your interest contact Ella Parsons: Email: events@krestonreeves.com Call: +44 (0)330 124 1399 or visit www.krestonreeves.com/events

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SUPER GROWTH AWARDS

WINNER

Horsham-based PSI-Pay Ltd was established in 2007 offering technology-based payment solutions to customers. Regulated by the FCA, with Principal Membership of Visa and Mastercard, allows PSI to offer payment accounts, and payment cards, in many countries utilising a range of currencies.

A professional management team was appointed in 2014 and a thorough strategic overhaul was undertaken that year. PSI has gone from strength to strength since doubling its customer base and quadrupling turnover and profit.

RUNNER-UP

1ST CENTRAL is firmly established as a top 10 supplier on price comparison websites and has successfully built a customer base of almost half a million. It strives to make buying car insurance a more accessible and effortless experience.

Featuring prominently in the Insurance Times Top 50 brokers listing, 1ST CENTRAL receives frequent and coveted industry awards. This includes being named 2018’s Insurance Provider of the Year by Money Age and achieving the prestigious national Servicemark award from the Institute of Customer Service.

The trend is set to continue with the introduction of innovative new products and services.

Based in Haywards Heath with additional offices around the UK, 1ST CENTRAL is the motor insurance broker within First Central Insurance & Technology Group, employing almost 650 people.

www.psi-pay.co.uk

www.1stcentralinsurance.com

THE SUPER GROW TH FINALISTS 1

PSI-Pay Ltd

2

1st Central Insurance Management Ltd

189.9%

18 Sussex Turnery & Moulding Company Ltd (Stamco)

48.4%

36 Vindex Systems Ltd

33.0%

37 Speed Group (Holdings) Ltd

32.8%

127.1%

19 Jarretts Motors Ltd

47.4%

38 Dinnages Garages Ltd

31.9%

122.7%

20 Parafix Holdings Ltd

47.2%

39 Whiteline Manufacturing Ltd

31.7%

3

Onwatchmultifire Ltd

4

Focus 4 U Ltd (Focus Group)

92.8%

21 JT Holdings Ltd

47.1%

40 Harwoods Ltd

30.6%

5

A World of Buzz Ltd (World of Books)

22 Quadrant Group Ltd

47.0%

41 St. Leonards Motors Ltd

30.5%

86.9%

23 Paine Manwaring Ltd

45.7%

42 Great Water Properties Ltd

29.6%

84.8%

24 East Sussex Press Ltd (Pureprint Group)

43.5%

43 Wisdom Properties Ltd

28.6%

25 Cordek Ltd

43.0%

44 Tomsetts Distribution Ltd

28.6%

26 NT Holdings Ltd

39.8%

27 Drusillas Zoo Park Ltd

38.0%

28 Medical Express (U.K.) Ltd

37.3%

6

Pet Family Ltd

7

Chandlers Building Supplies Ltd 78.7%

8

Adelphi (Tubes) Ltd

66.2%

9

Buxted Construction Ltd

57.0%

10 Saywell International Ltd

56.3%

11 H Ripley & Co. Ltd

55.9%

12 Kew (Electrical Distributors) Ltd 55.3% 13 Compass Supply Solutions Ltd 55.0%

29 Phase Electrical Distributors Ltd 37.1% 30 Cox Management Services Ltd 36.0% 31 Neville & More Ltd

35.9%

45 Birchwood Motor Group Ltd

28.5%

46 Frontier-Pitts Ltd

28.0%

47 DNP Restaurants Ltd

26.5%

48 A.T.B. Sales Ltd

26.1%

49 Gardner & Scardifield Ltd

25.8%

50 Aerco (Holdings) Ltd

24.9%

51 Ampito Group LLP

24.2%

52 Arden Grange Holdings Ltd

21.9% 21.5% 21.3%

14 Hill Brothers (Chichester) Ltd

51.8%

32 Park Cameras Ltd

35.8%

15 Worthing Homes Ltd

50.7%

33 M. G. Duff International Ltd

35.4%

16 Coppard Plant Hire Ltd

50.5%

34 Historic Sussex Hotels Ltd

33.7%

53 Industrial Construction (Sussex) Ltd

17 Rydon Holdings Ltd

49.7%

35 The Lodge Group Ltd

33.0%

54 Ferrabyrne Ltd

37

THE 2019 GATWICK DIAMOND BUSINESS AWARDS

Now in their 11th year, the Awards are a well-established highlight of the business calendar. They celebrate the achievements of individual businesses and business people across a wide range of categories. Importantly, they

Shaun Williamson

also showcase the success of the Gatwick Diamond economic area as major driver of the regional and national economies.

This year’s ceremony was hosted by Shaun Williamson, a familiar face on stage and screen, starting with his break-through role as Barry Evans in Eastenders. More recently he has supported Ricky Gervais in TV comedy classics including Extras. The audience of 600 were also entertained by Xavier, fresh from stealing the show as contenders on BBC One’s “All Together Now”.

The Awards are strongly supported by the Gatwick Diamond business community. The Headline Sponsors were Gatwick Airport, NatWest, Thakeham Group and Extech Cloud. The Evening started with a Pre-Dinner Reception sponsored by BGF and was roundedoff with the now highly anticipated After-Show Party.

Jeff Alexander, CEO, Gatwick Diamond Business

Pictures by Jon Rigby

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he 2019 winners of the prestigious Gatwick Diamond Business Awards were announced in March to a packed audience at the Effingham Park Hotel, Gatwick. Highlights included Nick Broom being recognised as Business Person of the Year and his company, PVL Ltd of Burgess Hill, winning the Business of the Year Award for large businesses.

Celebrating Busines

The Gatwick Diamond Business Award

Join us in the Millennium Suite of the Copthorne Effingh before taking your seat for a sumptuous three course d

Our presenter for the evening will be comedian and actor, Marcus BBC Radio 4 with an impressive list of TV & film credits including Monty Python’s ‘Spamalot’ and ‘Love Actually’ among many others

This Black Tie event will see the very best of the Gatwick Diamond come together to celebrate the achievements of World-Class busin World-Class region.

6.30pm Evening starts with Pre-Dinner Reception Sponsored by BGF 7.15pm Take your seats for Dinner 9.30pm Marcus Brigstocke 10.00pm Presentation of the Gatwick Diamond Business Awards 11.00pm After-Show Party 01.00am Carriages

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For more information and to download the booking form, visit:

WWW.GATWICKDIAMONDBUSINESSAWARDS.COM

THE WINNERS ARE ANNOUNCED

THE WINNERS The winners in each category were Responsible Business of the Year

Manufacturing Business of the Year

LoveLocalJobs.com

us as we recognise the passion and talent of our business community GeminiJoin Print Group

sponsored by University of Sussex Business School

Celebrating Business Excellence

sponsored by Kreston Reeves

The Gatwick Diamond Business Awards celebrate people and businesses who have shown innovation and inspiration

International Business of the Year

in their work, and have demonstrated a real commitment to the region. The Awards have become one of the most Professional Services Firm of the Year prestigious business occasions – celebrating the best of the best across the Gatwick Diamond.

CAE Training & Services UK Ltd

For more information and to download an entry form, visit: MCA Consulting Engineers

The Award for Customer Delight

Apprentice of the Year

Gemini Print Group

Cameron Heath – SOS Systems Ltd

The Award for the Place to Meet

New Business of the Year

Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club

Ethos Farm Ltd

Employer of the Year

Business Person of the Year

sponsored by the Gatwick Diamond Initiative

sponsored by DMH Stallard

sponsored by CEC Direct Ltd

sponsored by Search Consultancy

sponsored by Crawley Borough Council

WWW.GATWICKDIAMONDBUSINESSAWARDS.COM

sponsored by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council

sponsored by Basepoint Business Centres

sponsored by KPMG

Kingston Smith LLP

Nick Broom – PVL UK Ltd

The Award for Developing People for Business Success

Business of the Year (Up to £1m)

sponsored by Crawley College

Cloud9 Insight The Award for Supply Chain Excellence sponsored by University of Brighton

Acro Aircraft Seating

@gdbizawards

sponsored by SHW

ViiSana Ltd Business of the Year (Over £1m) sponsored by NatWest

PVL UK Ltd

The Award for Innovation & Technology sponsored by asb Law LLP

Aspen Pumps Group

For more, visit www.gatwickdiamondbusinessawards.com or follow @gdbizawards on Twitter

39

How digital-savvy companies

are winning at customer service Smartphone-only Monzo tops charts for banking customer satisfaction.

By Andrew Hookway, Managing Director at Extech Cloud Consumer trends

First, how broader consumer trends are changing, and those firms who can adapt are succeeding in providing excellent value to their customers. Whether it’s fighting the war on plastic, niche lifestyle brands, environmentally-conscious dietary choices or digital technology, wider consumer tastes are changing, and Monzo appears to be capitalising on one of these major shifts with great success.

Andrew Hookway

W

hich?’s annual survey on bank customer satisfaction made for thought-provoking reading. Monzo, the smartphone-only bank soared to the top of the table, while TSB slumped to the bottom following a year of IT failings.

Second in the table was First Direct, who are telephone and online only.

The previous year saw TSB in fourth position, but an IT crisis left millions of customers without access to their accounts. More than half experienced technical issues and scored poorly on customer service, telephone and online banking.

These rankings are perhaps a sign of the times as technology begins to disrupt even the most traditional of industries – personal banking.

It’s perhaps a lesson to many smaller firms that they cannot ignore the two lessons from this study.

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According to Business Insider, in 2017 consumers had a significantly better customer experience via emerging channels, such as text-based intelligent assistants, live chat and messaging apps, than they did in 2016. The study also found that customer service via email and phone have fallen in the US by 7% in the previous two years.

Operational effectiveness

Second, is how IT and operations directly translate into improved customer satisfaction. Neither Monzo or First Direct have branches, therefore they invest all their customer support straight into digital avenues. This means that both firms are developing strengths in serving their customers digitally, a growing area in driving customer value.

Both Monzo and First Direct are likely to have invested in their platforms and systems to effectively communicate with the customer, process support requests and deliver features to their services which offer customer value. Its behindthe-scenes IT and operations are enabling excellent marketing results.

Equally, TSB plummeted to the bottom of the customer satisfaction because of its difficulties in delivering operational excellence, due to IT failures.

Firms are merely people and machines, and in the tertiary sector, they are people and PCs. Organisations can hire and train the best people, but if their tools are inadequate, then they will become limited in productivity and effectiveness, which translates to customer service and ultimately profitability.

Delivering value with technology and know-how Firms don’t have to be the next Monzo to get technology and customer satisfaction right, but they do have to ensure that they can adapt and look ahead, and not back.

BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY SURVEY CASE STUDY: International Recruitment Agency

A

n international recruitment agency were looking to modernise their business, moving from dated IT to modernised cloud services. They approached Extech Cloud with a tight deadline to replace their systems and, even against the odds, it was delivered.

Their servers were crashing daily and offered a poor user experience for remote offices. The employees reverted to using their own solutions to counter the issues, which meant working practices were not being followed. The combined issues resulted in stressed employees as they could not work efficiently.

Using technology to deliver operational excellence is paramount within service firms, whether it’s a bank, an accountant or a lawyer, ultimately technology is going to play a large part in ensuring that a client is receiving the best service possible. But it’s equally important, as we’ve seen, to deliver the right technology and to ensure that the ser-

Extech Cloud’s solution was to fully migrate the organisation to the cloud, including mobile device management for all devices, advanced threat protection and a host of other productivity and security services.

After Extech Cloud’s intervention, the company’s employees are now able to work much more efficiently with the added bonus of increased security measures. We worked closely with the IT Manager every step of the way to ensure value was delivered to the client in a way that was applicable to the business.

Extech Cloud now continues to work

and advise the client who trusts us to future proof their IT systems to ensure the same problems don’t occur.

The IT Manager said: “After five years of using our current server-based environment we decided to modernise.

We engaged Extech Cloud to advise and migrate our on-premise data to the cloud. Extech’s recommendation of Microsoft Modern Workplace provides us a more robust, scalable, agile and secure platform to operate worldwide. The Extech Cloud projects team were fantastic throughout the project, always contactable and very quick to provide solutions and support throughout the project.”

vice provided is a service that has kept up with the times and your customers.

Extech Cloud | Cloud, Cybersecurity and IT support. With Extech Cloud, you’re on a journey. If you’re interested in a better way, then let us know. www.extechcloud.com hello@extech.co.uk

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A new strategy to promote cleaner energy is launched Coast to Capital sets out how a new strategy for cleaner energy plans to transform the region, and highlights exciting developments at Westhampnett Solar Farm in West Sussex

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he energy system that has served us for more than 120 years is in the midst of great change, driven by the emergence of new technologies and a growing social consensus around climate change and sustainability. There is a global trend away from high-carbon economies and towards a low-carbon alternative which presents a significant opportunity and an enormous challenge for both the public and private sector.

one of the world’s most sustainable buildings. Attendees at the launch event heard how the strategy aims to deliver impact in the short and medium term, and prepare the foundation for meeting long-term targets through: • Securing investment in the region toward an estimated £14.755 billion of commercially and technically viable projects which deliver healthy returns to stakeholders.

Coast to Capital, Enterprise M3 and • Delivering a reduction in emissions South East Local Enterprise Partneracross the electricity, heat and transship (SELEP), in partnership with Sieport sectors of 13,615 kT CO2e, which mens, have agreed an ambitious energy “There is a global trend away strategy designed to cut carbon emis- from high-carbon economies sions and promote and towards a low-carbon clean growth across the South East. The alternative which presents a South2East Local Ensignificant opportunity” ergy Strategy, which will help meet statutory climate is the equivalent of removing all five change targets for 2032 and 2050, million cars in the South East from sets a shared vision for the region to the road. become a leader for sustainable energy production within the UK, powering • Transitioning 47,455 GWh from pollutinnovative, decarbonised and clean ing, high-carbon generation to clean economic growth. energy sources, the equivalent of providing all 3.4 million homes in the triThe agreed strategy lists five priority LEP region with a low-carbon supply themes for action: of both electricity and heating.

• Low carbon heating • Renewable energy generation • Creating or securing 75,652 jobs • Energy saving and efficiency across the area.

• Smart energy systems • Transport Within the five priority themes, 18 key project models have been identified The strategy was launched in March at which can be rolled-out and scaled-up The Crystal in London, a unique buildacross the region and that will attract ing home to the world’s largest exhibiinvestment and achieve significant tion on the future of cities, as well as carbon emission savings. These in-

42

clude: supporting the development of district heat networks; connecting off-grid homes to gas supplies; hydrogen injection into the natural gas grid to lower the carbon content of gas;

COAST TO CAPITAL encouraging offshore wind development; developing solar arrays on council-owned landfill sites; and supporting the development of a biomass supply chain to use the South East’s natural resources.

Further project models include supporting the scaling up of the ultra-low emissions vehicle charging infrastructure across the South East; supporting the roll out of the use of compressed natural gas for HGV fleets; build housing developments fuelled by hydrogen for heating and cooking; and supporting the development of carbon capture, usage and storage.

The area’s natural strengths such as

its high levels of solar irradiation and wood biomass fuel assets means it is well placed to play a leading role in the energy transition. However, the area still faces a number of challenges that are holding back progress such as the high degree of constraint in the electricity grid which throttles back growth and decarbonisation efforts.

nities from around the world. This new strategy seeks to ensure the South East does exactly that and all partners involved in the development of this strategy are committed to working together to achieve this ambition.

Find out more at www.coast2capital.org.uk

The region has a leading role to play in this national agenda and there is excellent work already taking place across the South East. Success hinges on developing a coordinated approach to the way policy, technology and capital spending is deployed so that resources are used effectively and businesses are supported to exploit new opportu-

“Westhampnett solar farm generates enough green electricity to power 2,400 households”

Westhampnett Solar Farm in West Sussex. Photo courtesy of West Sussex County Council

CASE STUDY:

Westhampnett solar farm West Sussex County Council, within the Coast to Capital area, has been leading the way among local authorities in delivering of local energy projects. The 26,000 solar panels at Westhampnett began generating clean electricity in October 2018.

The 7.4MW solar farm has been built with large on-site batteries, which means that surplus electricity can be stored and fed into the grid when the site is not generating. This helps to make maximum use of the green energy and means that this solar farm is the first in public ownership to be built without the need for government subsidy (feed-in-tariffs).

Westhampnett solar farm generates enough green electricity to power 2,400 households. Being built on a closed landfill site, it also makes use of land that is currently unsuitable for public access or development because of methane gas. Like Tangmere solar farm, some of the electricity generated at Westhampnett is used to power West Sussex County Council buildings.

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CORPORATE

Health Wellbeing &

It has long been recognised that a healthy workforce has a dramatic effect on productivity, leads to less absent days, increased motivation, company loyalty and overall economic prosperity.

Throughout the New Year, this magazine will partner with a selection of major companies in the sector to offer advice on how to deal with the growing crisis of avoidable employee absent days.

We intend to lead the way on this subject to aid in the economic prosperity of our region.

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HEALTH & WELLBEING “Good health is multifaceted – it’s physical, it’s internal, it’s my diet and my emotional state. It’s all tied in together.”

Almost 1 in 3 people of working age have a long-term health condition, estimated to cost the UK economy £100 billion a year CIPD

Michelle Obama

85% of UK adults experience stress regularly, and over 1/3 of residents feel stresses for at least one day per week.

3x

forthwithlife.co.uk

“Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have.”

Sir Winston Churchill

Mental health related presenteeism is now costing businesses up to THREE TIMES MORE than absenteeism Deloitte UK Health Monitor, 2017

“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.”

John F. Kennedy

A recent study by Ofcom said UK adults spend an average of eight hours and 41 minutes a day on media devices... compared with the average night’s sleep of eight hours and 21 minutes rewardgateway.com

People who are optimistic have less chance of suffering from heart disease According to findings of a study published in the European Heart Journal

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Planning to be well

By Paul Ollerton, Managing Director at ViiSana Ltd

Paul Ollerton

I

n this month’s article, we are highlighting the importance of having and implementing a plan if you want your business to thrive through wellbeing. Sadly, good intentions are not enough if a sustainable approach to wellness is the desired outcome.

Equally, your plan needs to be simple enough that it won’t impact your day to day business activities (but compliment them).

Be clear with what you want to achieve

For a plan to work well, it needs to create an impact but also be measur-

able enough to define a return on the results it achieves. The plan needs to work with your existing day to day activities. Key considerations include understanding the key drivers for implementing a plan – is it because you want to remain competitive? Or, is it because you have specific health issues to address? It is also essential that your companies’ values mirror what you are trying to achieve.

Statutory obligations

Whether you like it or not, there are things you HAVE to be doing. These regulations simply must be considered in your plan: • Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA) • Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985 (RIDDOR) • Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 • Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 (amended 2002) • Employment Equality Act 2010

• Access to Medical Reports Act 1988 • Your ‘duty of care’ obligations including undertaking risk assessments and managing activities to reduce the incidence of stress at work

Get management buy in

The key to success sits with having buyin at the top. The best way to do this is demonstrate a case for the investment, but also be clear about the likely return.

There is lots of information available to demonstrate these key areas, there are often key internal measures that will cement your argument: • Current sickness absence records •H ealth risks specific to your geographic area •E mployee engagement surveys • E xisting use of employee assistance programmes (if already in place).

Equally, external considerations can add weight to your case:

Public Health England (2017) state that sickness absence averages at

£571 4.4 days per year for every worker.

Based on averages, this equates to

£571.56 per employee per year.

Worse still, the cost of presenteeism (when someone is in work and unwell and not productive) is even more than the cost of absenteeism at

£605 £605 per employee, per year

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HEALTH & WELLBEING Develop your strategy Once you have the approval to proceed with a plan, your research should have highlighted some key priorities

that your strategy needs to address.

Use this information to develop the vision and direction for your health and

3

Identify responsibilities and objectives.

A good plan cannot normally be delivered by one person – so it is a good idea to set clear responsibilities to those people who will deliver the plan but also that their workload allows them sufficient time to focus on the project delivery

2

Set your budget. Once you are clear on what the goals of the plan are to be, set a sensible budget that is both affordable but gives enough to achieve the goals

wellbeing strategy. I would recommend using the following key stages to consider within your overall plan:

4

Determine measures of success. A good plan will draw on several key measures to show success. These might include: • Sickness records • Exit interviews • Employee satisfaction surveys • Feedback from delivery team/ champions • Uptake of related benefits and initiatives

5

Set initiatives. We discussed the key pillars of wellbeing in last months’ article, so these can be excellent topics for initiatives.

There are lots of external awareness days that can be used through the year – as long as they fit your objectives. Consider key events such as Stoptober, Mental Health Awareness Week, or Dry January

1

Set vision/goals.

Ideally this should relate to the overall goals of the company. A good example for an overriding goal could be ‘to reduce sickness absence by 20%’

6

Appoint the experts. There is a wealth of local businesses who can help, at relatively low cost – in many cases for free (many charities provide key resource). Giving your employees access to the experts is as useful as the service itself

Blast off

Once your plan is ready, the way that you launch it will have a huge impact on its success. Regardless of the size of your business, consider a launch event, communicate through posters and your intranet. Appoint champions – they can really drive your message home. It might also mean you need to train certain people in areas like mental health first aid. It’s also really key to keep communicating – newsletters and good new stories can keep momentum in place (you might even con-

sider putting health related incentives in place that tie into your initiatives).

Keep moving forward – review and develop

It is crucial to measure and review the output in a formal capacity, on a regular and timely basis. This should include basic reviews, like a monthly catch up with champions, and capturing key data in monthly management reviews. If something isn’t working – find out why, and if necessary, change your approach.

Contact us ViiSana specialises in implementing wellness programmes using Vitality Life and Health insurance as the backbone of the approach. If you would like to discuss your company’s individual health concerns/challenges, or if you would just like to discuss ideas for implementing a programme at your business, please get in touch: Email: gethealthy@viisana.com Tel: 0333 772 0761 Twitter/Instagram/Facebook/LinkedIn

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Bringing high performing leaders to client organisations The Thrive Team’s co-founders Martin Grady and Alison Trodd explain how they match the best people to senior leadership roles, and develop them to thrive in work, as well as in life

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ecent research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) showed that half of UK workers are in the wrong job. New Chichester-based search and selection company, The Thrive Team, is helping to combat this alarming level of mismatched employees by using structured interviews, psychometric assessments and aptitude/ability tests to match the right business leader with a job and organisation that is best suited to their skills, personality and ambition.

Mitigating risk and maximising ROI

Dedicated to discovering high-performing employees for clients, The Thrive Team uses carefully designed search and selection techniques – included in a proven 10 step process – which mitigates risk and maximises return on investment for clients.

Once placed, all of The Thrive Team’s candidates are offered an opportunity to go through a strong development process with coaching, mental health

Co-founders of The Thrive Team, Alison Trodd and Martin Grady

awareness and self-care at its core.

This helps them to hit the ground running and thrive in their new role.

Martin comments: “Development through coaching is the key to optimising a new employee’s performance

“Development through coaching is the key to optimising a new employee’s performance and wellness in the workplace”

and wellness in the workplace. Our clients simultaneously benefit from a high-performing, motivated leader – someone who is supported, listened to and given the tools they need for continuous growth. We believe this is what sets us apart from our competitors, adding real value to our candidates, at the same time as helping our clients to alleviate risk of hire.”

Support during job transition

The Thrive Team supports newly

The Thrive Team’s 10-step process

1

Client brief

2

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3

Initial Candidate Approach & Qualification

Company & Candidate Target List

5 4

Shortlist Production

Face to face interviews & reference checking

HEALTH & WELLBEING placed candidates throughout their transition from one company to the next, starting from acceptance of role and staying in close contact for the first three to six months, and beyond.

Alison comments: “Following the rigorous search and selection process, where we get to know the candidate well, we tailor the coaching plan to each individual, with a focus on their development and wellbeing as a leader. From our experience the coaching plan covers development areas around emotional intelligence, change, confidence, resilience, wellness and mental strength (using the MTQ48 psychometric tool). This enables the people we place to smoothly transition into their new role, helping them to settle in quickly and maintain resilience during what is often a stressful time.”

that 61% of respondents said, ‘no’ when asked if mental health training was offered for the management of their organisation and 46% said this was due to lack of appropriate information or guidance.

Alison, a MHFA instructor, comments: “The subject of mental ill health in the workplace is a subject close to our hearts here at The Thrive Team. We’re

opportunities for training and development.

Martin comments: “Our coaching and development services for placed candidates help clients to cultivate a motivated and productive workforce. We genuinely care that people are happy in their careers and so do everything we can to give them the tools they need to thrive in the workplace, as well as in life.”

“An Institute of Directors (IoD) survey published on this year’s Time to Talk Day showed that workplace pressure contributes to mental health issues for the majority of business leaders”

Optimising mental health

An Institute of Directors (IoD) survey published on this year’s Time to Talk Day showed that workplace pressure contributes to mental health issues for the majority of business leaders.

Among the 500 directors and managers polled, more than half said they had experienced poor mental health that was, in part, connected to factors such as a lack of work life balance and heavy workloads. In addition, mental health and wellbeing was not actively promoted in their organisation.

When asked what would have the biggest positive impact on their mental health, 37% of respondents specified training in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). The same survey revealed

passionate about raising awareness of mental health across the whole organisation, from C-level to shop floor, and believe it works best when everybody in the organisation is included. That’s why, in addition to our MHFA certified training, we have provided bespoke sessions for the Board, tailored sessions for middle managers, and workshops for all staff to get them thinking about their own mental health and selfcare.”

‘Good work’ improves health and wellbeing

Further demonstrating the relevance and timeliness of The Thrive Team’s unique offering, Public Health England’s 2019 Health matters: Health and work report concludes that being in good work improves health and wellbeing across people’s lives. ‘Good work’ is defined as having a safe and secure job with good working hours and conditions, supportive management and

Martin and Alison have 60 years’ combined experience in recruitment and HR at organisations across a wide range of industries, in both the public and private sectors. They are life partners as well as business partners, motivated by their core values of caring, understanding and delivering for their clients and candidates.

You can find out more about The Thrive Team’s search, selection and coaching offering at www.thethriveteam.co.uk or email hello@thethriveteam.co.uk

For more information on this process, head to www.thethriveteam.co.uk/discover/the-process/

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Interview Process & Co-ordination

Shortlist Review Meeting

8

9 Offer & Resignation

Notice Period

10

Coaching & Development

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Resist the urge Here’s how to keep the cravings at bay at work whilst staying full, fuelled and healthy. By Kate Morton

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e spend a large part of our day at work, on average eight hours, and therefore are likely to eat one or more of our meals, plus snacks, in the workplace (this can equate to one-third of our daily calorie intake). What we eat every day determines how well our body functions; our body needs fuel to work and sometimes it can feel like the workplace environment is fighting against our goals

to eat healthier. We all know that fruit and vegetables are good for us, yet why do some of us still crave a sugary coffee and a morning pastry at work?

which can have a detrimental effect on our productivity. Eating a healthy, balanced diet from every food group is essential to good health; it can improve the quality of life and reduce the risk of major illnesses such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and some cancers. What we should be eating is divided into five main food groups; it’s essential to be choosing most foods from each of these groups in order to get you functioning in the right way, every day.

We all know that fruit and vegetables are good for us, yet why do some of us still crave a sugary coffee and a morning pastry at work?

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Eating alone at our desk, a drawer stashed with sweet treats, an afternoon biscuit run are all factors that can lead us to go with the ‘unhealthy’ flow

HEALTH & WELLBEING 5 top tips for eating healthier at work

1

Meal prep for the week - Making lunch at home means that you’re in control of exactly what you’re putting in your body and will also save on the pennies.

2

Have a big breakfast - If you don’t eat something before work, you will feel increasingly stressed as your body resorts to breaking down muscle to replenish its energy reserves.

3

Say ‘No’ - Resist the Friday afternoon biscuit run and pastry-heavy breakfast meetings.

The 5 Main Food Groups DAIRY

Dairy is high in calcium, protein and vitamin D and is linked to improved bone health, reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and can help lower blood pressure in adults. Make sure you always opt for reduced fat options where possible for example, semi or skimmed milk and low fat or ‘light’ cheese. Cultured dairy foods such as yoghurt contain probiotics which can enhance the good bacteria in the gut, improve health and reduce the risk of certain diseases.

GRAINS

If you’re missing a healthy balance of carbohydrates in your diet, your body won’t have the fuel it needs to function and this can lead to a sugar craving. Eating grains provides numerous health benefits including a feeling of fullness without the calories. Whole grains may also help to reduce blood cholesterol levels, lower the risk of heart disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes, and reduce the risk of some chronic diseases as well as aid diges-

tion. Examples of whole grains include oats, popcorn, brown rice and wholemeal bread and pasta.

PROTEIN

Lean meats, oily fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, lentils, beans and peas supply many nutrients and are naturally low in fat. These foods contain protein, B vitamins, vitamin E, iron, zinc, and magnesium. Proteins function as building blocks for bones, muscles, cartilage, hormones, skin and blood, and can help to reduce your appetite and prevent you from overeating. Stick to oil-rich fish like salmon and mackerel which contains omega 3 fatty acids which keep our hearts healthy and are a good source of vitamins A and D.

FRUIT

Fresh fruit is naturally sweet and packed full of important antioxidants, nutrients and minerals, including potassium, fibre, vitamin C and folate (folic acid). It’s an excellent source of dietary fibre acting as a natural cleanser for your digestive system. Low in

4

Healthy storage - Keep perishable items at the correct temperature to avoid any nasty bacteria.

5

Snacks - Stay away from the vending machine and instead take in your own healthy snacks.

fat and sodium, fruit can help reduce risk of heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer. Some of the healthiest fruits are grapefruits, blueberries, apples, pomegranate, pineapple, citrus fruits and bananas.

VEGETABLES

Eating from the rainbow gives your body a wide range of valuable nutrients including fibre, folate, potassium, and vitamins A and C. Naturally low in fat and calories, any type of vegetable counts to a healthy diet whether fresh, frozen, raw or cooked, even 100% vegetable juice can contribute to your daily vegetable requirement.

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Ergonomic products:

ARE THEY WORTH THE MONEY? How our environment interacts with our work is key to a happy, healthy and productive workforce. Posturite, the leading workplace health and wellbeing specialists, tell us what products we need to be using

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hen we describe a product as ergonomic, this generally means that special attention has been given to the design to make sure it’s the best possible fit for the user, the environment and the task it’s being used for.

back pain, neck strain and repetitive strain syndrome (RSI) are one of the top causes of absenteeism (particularly long-term) and lost productivity in the UK, it’s worth considering the longer-term benefits of good quality ergonomic equipment. These include:

Ergonomic chairs, for example, are designed with adjustable parts that can be fine-tuned by the user to suit his or her own measurements and preferences. The more adjustable a product is, the better - because of course we’re all different shapes and sizes.

• Improved talent retention • Reduced absenteeism • Increased morale • Increased productivity • Better health and wellbeing • Lower rate of product replacement.

Problems arise when we use equipment that’s been designed or set up for someone else (usually the ‘average’ person, who doesn’t actually exist). When we’re using unsuitable equipment for many hours a day, the risk of injury is much higher, and can result in problems like back, neck and shoulder pain, eye issues and repetitive strain injuries.

Many studies have shown that ergonomic intervention saves money. One paper found that some businesses ‘cited payback periods of less than one year’ after investing in ergonomic strategies. Another study quoted a company that experienced a ‘25% increase in output at computer workstations when using ergonomic furniture’, in addition to an increase in employee wellbeing.

For businesses looking for a quick, cheap fix, it can be tempting to dismiss ergonomic equipment as an unnecessary cost. However, considering that musculoskeletal disorders like

At Posturite we’ve been supporting businesses with ergonomic products, DSE assessments, training and consulting for the best part of three decades. We work with many of the top

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businesses in the UK across all sectors and time and time again we see how the right ergonomic products transform businesses. People are more comfortable, they feel happier, they feel valued, they’re able to be more productive, and eventually this filters through to the organisation’s bottom line.

Posturite is built and run by health experts – physios, ergonomists, health and safety professionals and consultants working together to increase productivity amongst our clients’ workforces. Over the years, we’ve helped hundreds of thousands of people sit more comfortably.

It’s what we’re best at. Here are just some of the reasons our clients choose us: • Discounts on large orders • Service tailored to you • Huge choice of products • Ergonomic expertise from our qualified professionals • We prioritise health and comfort - not sales • We’re trusted by many of the world’s biggest brands • Flexible enough to cater to all sizes and sectors • Environmentally conscientious

HEALTH & WELLBEING

What you need for an ergonomic workstation Leading workplace health and wellbeing experts at Posturite reveal some of their top ergonomic products. What are they and how can they help? ➤

DeskRite 300 Electric ➤ Sit-Stand Desk

Penguin Ambidextrous Mouse

What it is: A vertical mouse that happens to look a bit like a penguin.

How it helps: Allows you to control your mouse with your hand and wrist in a comfortable neutral ‘handshake’ position to reduce risk of RSI. How much: £70.74 www.posturite.co.uk/penguin

What it is: A good sized sit-stand desk with electronic button control.

How it helps: Allows you to move effortlessly between sitting and standing to increase daily activity levels.

How much: £752.34 www.posturite.co.uk/deskrite-300

Opløft Sit-Stand Platform

➤

What it is: A slim, lightweight platform that can be placed on top of any existing surface to transform it into a sit-stand desk.

How it helps: Gets you up, down and moving all about without taking up too much space. Looks great, moves smoothly and slips easily into storage when not in use.

How much: £299.99 www.posturite.co.uk/oploft

➤

What it is: A highly adjustable ergonomic office chair.

How it helps: Allows you to find the perfect height, tilt and positioning to achieve a comfortable working posture and reduce the risk of back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders.

How much: From £811.14 www.posturite.co.uk/positiv-plus

Number Slide Compact Keyboard

➤

Positiv Plus Ergonomic Office Chair

Slim Cool Laptop Stand

What it is: A slim laptop stand with telescopic side bars that slide in when not in use.

How it helps: Elevates your laptop to a suitable height so that you can work without hanging your head forwards in a risky position.

Requires separate mouse and keyboard.

How much: £59.94 www.posturite.co.uk/ slim-cool

➤

What it is: A mini keyboard with a slide-out number pad.

How it helps: Allows you to work with a comfortable arm position and pull out number pad to improve efficiency when inputting numbers.

How much: £74.34 www.posturite.co.uk/number-slide

We’d like to offer Platinum Business readers a 20% discount on all products featured in this article. Simply enter the code: 20PB in the promo box when you’re ready to check out. Visit www.posturite.co.uk to start browsing

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Why stress is

bad for business

Stress amongst employees is something every employer needs to be aware of. Camille Pierson, founder of The Float Spa tells us the key is helping to prevent it

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ome businesses deliberately create highly competitive environments that put their staff under pressure to get the best out of them. This kind of stress can be beneficial because a touch of adrenaline sharpens the mind and makes people more decisive. However, long term stress can have a serious impact on productivity and employee wellbeing which is ultimately bad for business.

Numerous studies have looked at the way stress affects a workforce and they have all found a range of negative effects such as absenteeism, poor health and disengagement. Fortunately, there are ways to help tackle stress and these measures can have all kinds of positive effects.

Health and absence

Stress is bad for you. It’s just a fact.

The sort of stress where you have to rush about to get things done isn’t the harmful type. It’s that long term nagging stress where you constantly worry about things that wears away at you and can affect your health long term. That kind of stress wrecks sleep, destroys will power and can lower people’s immune systems. It can lead to people taking extra time off work in the

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short term and extended periods of absence in the long term.

Disengagement

Feeling stressed all the time leads to feelings of hopelessness. Add in the lack of sleep and constant tiredness and you have a recipe for a total lack of motivation and disengagement. If you’re stressed for long enough and you can’t seem to make it go away no matter how hard you work, you’re just going to stop caring eventually.

The benefits of tackling stress at work

Allowing staff members to talk about what is stressing them out will immediately make them feel better. Obviously, if you can make changes to ease that stress, that’s a huge win but in some jobs, it’s just not going to be possible.

That’s where you need to find ways to help them manage their stress rather than eliminate it. Helping staff to manage their stress will up their productivity levels, lower absences and demonstrate that you care about them. People who feel appreciated and cared about have a better attitude towards work.

Help your staff to manage stress by

having time built into their working day to allow them to do that. Whether they would like to spend half an hour playing ping pong, have a quiet place to sit, time for a walk around the block, or an organised yoga class, the important thing is to make a point of encouraging your team to take time out to address their stress every day in a way that works for them. Obviously, we would love you to encourage them, or pay for them (even better!), to come to The Float Spa where we have floatation tanks, an infrared sauna, massage therapists and yoga classes but we accept that isn’t for everyone. If you would like to talk to us about destressing your team, please call 01273 933 680.

The Float Spa, Basement 8, Third Avenue, Hove, BN3 2PX, t: 01273 933 680. www.TheFloatSpa.co.uk

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Salt of the Earth Salt Space in Hove is offering a new route to wellbeing with their salt-enriched therapy rooms

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ombining the healing properties of nature with innovative technology, Salt Space in Hove reproduces the natural micro-climate of salt mines common in Eastern Europe. The salt-enriched air is naturally anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, loosens mucus and helps to clear the airways; it’s also great for boosting the immune system.

Salt therapy – historically known as ‘Halotherapy’, taken from the Greek word ‘halo’ meaning salt - is a simple and organic treatment which is growing fast in popularity in the UK and elsewhere. In the United States, the Salt Therapy Association reports that there are over 700 salt therapy centres, and during the last decade, they have been springing up throughout the UK, from Inverness to Hove.

Salt Space in Hove is Sussex’s only salt therapy centre and is now in its fourth year of operation.

Salt with everything

This drug free therapy is suitable for

people of all ages and can improve the symptoms of a variety of health issues such as asthma, bronchitis and other lung conditions, as well as eczema, psoriasis and other skin problems. And it is stress reducing at a time when workplace stress is hitting record levels.

Already Salt Space in Hove has helped hundreds of local people on the path to better health. Martine was recommended salt therapy by friends who knew about her respiratory problems.

“At work I have to frequently carry items up and down stairs and I used to

Salt Space is an oa- “I have recently seen a 10% increase sis of calm, where you can relax and in lung capacity following my annual unwind – you may asthma assessment,” says Richard even find yourself having a little snooze - while breathing get very short of breath doing that, but in the salty air. An adult session lasts now I manage it much more easily and 45 minutes and there is a separate chilwithout losing my breath,” she says. dren’s room with 30 minute sessions for them.

It is increasingly clear that salt therapy can make a huge contribution to indiThe growth in interest in salt therapy is vidual healthiness, happiness and propartly explained by increasing attention ductiveness. being paid to workplace health. Offices are often unhealthy places and this To book your first FREE session, or contributes to the fact that the average for more information, please call employee misses 4.1 days because of Salt Space on 01273 973843 or visit sickness every year, with more people www.saltspace.co.uk carrying on working when ill. Air conditioning can transmit respiratory dis372-374 Portland Road, Hove BN3 5SD eases, bugs circulate among people working together and there is also the impact of stress on wellbeing.

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Centenary celebrations 100 YEARS OF HILTON HOSPITALITY As Hilton heads toward a milestone 100th anniversary on May 31st 2019, we examine the company founded

by Conrad Hilton, a dreamer who aspired to create much more than just a comfortable place to sleep

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ver the last century, Hilton has grown from a single hotel in Cisco, Texas, to nearly 5,500 hotels and 17 brands in 106 countries with nearly 900,000 rooms, and it continues to grow. Hilton’s hotels have hosted more than three billion guests since 1919 and enlisted nearly 10 million team members.

The Hilton Effect • The Hilton Effect on Guests – Hilton has influenced guests by easing travel and broadening perspectives – changing travel as we know it through a century of firsts, from air conditioning to a mobile-centric hotel room; from the first concierge service for female travellers more than 50 years ago, to unexpected moments at the breakfast bar.

• The Hilton Effect on Team Members Hilton has impacted employees by fos-

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tering a powerful entrepreneurial spirit and wide-ranging career opportunities, creating a culture where it’s possible for restaurant servers to become C-suite execs.

• The Hilton Effect on Communities and Economies – Hilton has become woven into the history, economies and infrastructure of communities all over the world – building roads out of nothing to develop remote areas of Nigeria, transforming the London skyline, revitalising deserted docks in Buenos Aires and helping Sri Lanka survive and thrive during a civil war.

“I think the world is a better place because Hilton was born into it one hundred years ago,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, President and CEO, Hilton. “And if we continue to do our job, the world will be a better place because Hilton is in it for the next one hundred years.”

Conrad Hilton

The Hilton Effect on Guests

Conrad Hilton was a visionary who had his first experience in hospitality hosting weary travellers on the road to work at his family’s boarding house and later at his first hotel.

Since then, the company Hilton built has had an unmatched impact on modern travel. Hilton was the first hotel company to cater extensively to business travellers so they can focus their time and energy on the all-important meeting or negotiation, rather than the challenges of navigating an unfamiliar place. And throughout its history, Hilton has introduced numerous innovations offering comfort and convenience to all guests.

Those industry firsts include air-condi-

CONFERENCING & EVENTS – PROMOTIONAL BUSINESSFEATURE SURVEY “Industry firsts include air-conditioned hotel lobbies, cold running water and televisions in guest rooms – not to mention food and beverage items like the piña colada and brownie” tioned hotel lobbies, cold running water and televisions in guest rooms, not to mention food and beverage items like the piña colada and brownie.

more people and opening more hotels than ever before, and our impact will continue to shape the globe for the next century and beyond, affecting future generations of travellers.”

The Hilton Effect on Team Members

The Hilton Effect is now

Hilton has impacted millions of employees – which are referred to as Team Members at the company – by fostering the powerful entrepreneurial spirit and autonomy that Conrad Hilton established. That legacy continues to create grassroots innovation across all levels and departments, offering extensive career opportunities.

In a time that seems characterised by so much anxiety and discord, the unifying power of travel has never been needed more than it is today. That’s the trick of travel, it expands our view of the world while at the same time drawing us closer to diverse people around the globe.

The Hilton Effect on Communities and Economies

Hilton has been the first to enter numerous emerging markets around the globe, and has led the charge on revitalising areas that lost hope. By serving this important role, Hilton has become woven into the history, economies, and infrastructure of communities all over the world.

“Conrad Hilton’s vision was simple – to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality – but he couldn’t have predicted how committing to his dream would take on different meanings throughout the world over the 100 years,” said Nassetta. “With our 100th milestone around the corner, we are welcoming more guests, employing

Hilton Brighton Metropole, pre-1960s

We are in a Golden Age of travel. Emerging middle classes in places like India and China are fuelling a global thirst for exploration and adventure, opening up more and more destinations to new cultures and ideas. In 2017, there were four billion air travellers. In just 20 years, that number will double.

Hilton are paving the way in new travel destinations, opening hundreds of ho-

Piña colada – a house speciality

tels across nearly 50 countries and territories in the anniversary year alone.

As we hit the century mark, Hilton has never been more dynamic.

Hilton Firsts

• First hotel with cold running water • First hotel company to introduce a five star rating system • Waldorf Astoria New York was the first hotel to introduce room service • Waldorf Astoria bartenders created the Martini • The hotel introduced the world to Eggs benedict • First hotel company on the stock exchange • First hotelier to install televisions into all guest rooms • First to introduce air conditioning in public rooms • First hotel to introduce direct dial telephones from guest rooms • First hotel to globalise the mini bar • First hotel company on the internet Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company. Dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the world’s most hospitable company, Hilton earned a spot on the 2018 world’s best workplaces list. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program, Hilton Honors, nearly 85 million members who book directly with Hilton have access to instant benefits, including digital check-in with room selection, Digital Key, and Connected Room.

For more information visit www.newsroom.hilton.com Connect on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

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Convention connections

Bring businesses together, make new connections and get inspired at the 10th anniversary edition of the ACUMEN BUSINESS CONVENTION.

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ver 200 tickets have already sold for the special 10th anniversary edition of the ACUMEN BUSINESS CONVENTION. The convention stage this year will feature Tony Bloom, owner and chair of Brighton & Hove Albion FC, and Simon Woodroffe OBE, founder of YO! Sushi. As if

that wasn’t exciting enough there is also Graham Moore of Humanutopia, Jules White of Live it Love it Sell it, and three Speakers Arenas designed for TED-style talk.

The event kicks off with a sit down lunch followed by live entertainment

courtesy of After Party, exclusive networking opportunities with over 300 decision makers and much more. All of this is then sprinkled with Acumen magic to make a truly inspirational innovative convention to remember! Be a part of the show and visit www.acumenbusinessconvention.co.uk for the full day’s itinerary.

New for this year is the Acumen Fringe, a series of events in the two weeks following the convention, which gives a fantastic chance to catch the talks that you missed in those invaluable breakout sessions. Details of the Fringe are on the website and you can select your free Fringe events when booking your convention ticket; there will be three separate events hosted by Acumen on three exclusive dates, all featuring the inspirational Speakers Arenas combined with Link & Learn talks.

It’s well-known that the convention provides an extraordinary and often rare opportunity to make exciting business connections with top people. Every

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BUSINESS EVENT Making meaningful connections – The Agora and The Missing Piece Last year was no exception when two fantastic businesses came together at the 2018 convention and who are now partnering the special 10th edition. This is their story: “We would like to thank Acumen for the great job they do at bringing businesses together. The annual conference is not only a space for education and inspiration but also a real exchange of minds. Calling it networking would be minimising its purpose - businesses rarely have the chance to really get to know each other, to develop real relationships and talk about future innovation and ideas. Acumen allowed us this opportunity.”

What is a fertility clinic doing at a business conference led by a legal company?

“At the 2018 Acumen Convention, The Missing Piece shared a table with The Agora.The Missing Piece loves working with businesses that make a difference. Over lunch Carole Gilling-Smith described what she had set out to do and what was holding her back. We listened and loved the energy, and today, The Missing Piece is delighted to be working with Carole and her team to help achieve the dream that everyone deserves the chance to raise a family.”

“The Missing Piece and The Agora worked together for six months, uncovered the true calling of The Agora (Empowering the freedom of

reproductive choice) and energised the team to feel part of the strategic future of this honest and compassionate clinic. We really feel all part of the same team, all of this thanks to Acumen.”

You could join the hundreds of decision makers that are attending this year‘s 10th anniversary convention extravaganza on May 8th at the Grand Brighton. With so many unique features, this year’s event is not to be missed! You never know who you’re going to meet so make sure you get your ticket today by visiting the convention website on www.acumenbusinessconvention.co.uk

Business for a good cause The convention is proud to feature a charity that supports people living with MS. Founded in 2012, Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis (OMS) is a UK registered charity that provides free evidence-based health and lifestyle support to improve the lives of people with MS. The OMS 7 Step Recovery Programme includes diet, vitamin D, exercise, and stress management. It provides hope to those

with MS, helping many achieve life-changing improvements to their health. They really do wonderful work and there will be a raffle on the day for three top prizes!

We would like to thank our fantastic 2019 Convention Partners for helping to make this magic happen.

Simon Woodroffe OBE, founder of YO! Sushi

year there are hundreds of business relationships formed and re-enforced, along with new business ideas being created. The event attracts all types of businesses, large and small, covering a wide variety of sectors from across the country. www.acumenbusinessconvention.co.uk

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CORPORATE INCENTIVES

PLAYING AWAY

At last, a team building day for everyone…

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hen booking corporate away days, it can be hard work to plan something that ticks all the boxes and pleases all members of staff, so a compromise is not unusual! In business, mixed ages, abilities and life experiences are what make us stronger as a team all working towards one common goal. At Phileas Fogg’s you can literally have it all – no compromises and a happy and inspired bunch of employees at the end of your day.

The Phileas Fogg’s Escape Experience is Brighton’s newest answer to team building away days - a challenge-based group activity featuring 16 different sets and over 30 brain-busting games and tasks suitable for all ages and abilities. Hosted by professional actors, you are transported back in time, escorted by Phileas Fogg himself, on a journey around the world with amazing and unique special effects designed by the creators of the world famous James Bond, Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean sets.

Corporate visits are fully bespoke with pre-bookable additional options that can be added to the experience to cre-

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ate a full team-building day with a difference.

Group Experience prices start from just £24.50* per person or why not enquire about exclusive hire of the venue for a company event for your colleagues or clients.

Additional upgrade options include; hire of a Victorian themed boardroom with AV facilities for up to 16 delegates, various catering options, multiple team challenges, pre-orders in a fully licensed

bar with a capacity of up to 100 guests.

Enjoy free parking on site and full wheelchair access throughout the venue, including the experience itself.

Conveniently situated just off the A27 at Sussex House, Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury, Brighton. What are you waiting for, plan your visit now!

Enquire on: 01273 007799 Or email: info@foggsadventures.co.uk www.phileasfoggs.co.uk *Experience only.

BRAIN Power How do you make time to innovate within an established business? Sussex Innovation’s BRAIN programme assists with development, operations and business connections and has created a simple three-step process to help enterprises position themselves for the future.

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hat legacy will you create for your company? Building a great growth strategy in the face of uncertainty isn’t easy, and leaving your mark on an established business is even harder.

Sussex Innovation’s BRAIN programme was created to help established companies respond tactically to a shifting business environment of new entrants and challenger brands.

It enables the directors of successful enterprises to collaborate directly with innovators, delivering real change and positioning themselves for the future.

“We are already making some valuable connections between organisations in the Coast to Capital region, and the many innovations that we work with at Sussex Innovation,” says David Porter, BRAIN project manager.

“We have ongoing projects to reduce energy consumption, create greater operational efficiencies and develop new products for companies.”

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How it works

Many larger businesses lack the time and surplus cashflow to invest in innovation, and when they do, it tends to be spent on internal R&D, with a focus on improving existing products and services. To offer an alternative, the BRAIN project involves a simple three step process:

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Sussex Innovation’s experienced advisors provide a free consultation – getting to know your business, uncovering its challenges and opportunities, and diagnosing your requirements

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A shortlist of relevant ideas is whittled down from a portfolio of hundreds of local start-ups, small businesses and academic innovators, and presented back to you

SUSSEX INNOVATION CENTRE “Sussex Innovation’s BRAIN programme was created to help established companies respond tactically to a shifting business environment of new entrants and challenger brands” What does your business need most?

Whether you want to diversify through new technologies, derive more profit from your data, or devote attention to your team culture and wellbeing, chances are that the BRAIN network includes someone who can help:

Digital Transformation

From the manufacturing sector to construction, traditional industries are catching on to the potential of digital systems to deliver greater reliability, consistency and efficiency. Smart tracking tools and IoT tech being developed by BRAIN innovators could help ensure faster production and fulfilment, deliver better forecasting and utilisation rates, or reduce operational overheads.

Making Sense of Data

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You choose the ideas that you’d like to follow up; collaborating with the innovators behind them as they develop and deliver a final product with true value to your business

Most large businesses these days produce mountains of data, but few can get past the complexity involved in understanding and interpreting it. From mathematicians at the Data Intensive Science Centre, to tailored business intelligence expertise, specialists in the BRAIN portfolio can help you to manage, analyse and exploit that data, giving you access to the most valuable and actionable information that you have, at a glance.

Business Security and Continuity

Security, compliance and risk management are a crucial part of any modern business, as advances in connectivity and communications technology bring new threats with them. To future proof your business when it comes to cyber security and data protection can

sometimes require in-depth knowledge of these emerging trends, and a purpose-built solution.

HR, Recruitment and Engagement

Nothing is more important to the success of your business than the people who work for it. That’s why some of the most fertile ground for innovation in recent years has come in products that help you to maximise your team’s potential. The suite of BRAIN technologies includes several products that help monitor and improve employee wellbeing, engagement and loyalty, as well as services grounded in insights from occupational and behavioural psychology experts.

Fundamental Research and IP

The clusters of innovations discussed above barely begin to scratch the surface when it comes to the range of exciting new products that could offer a unique commercial advantage to your business. Sensory technology that delivers revolutionary ways of manipulating sound, touch and smell, groundbreaking interfaces that could change the face of human-computer interaction, and the latest advances in biotech – there are a world of new ideas to explore.

Contact the Sussex Innovation team at www.sinc.co.uk/brain for a free consultation, to find the right match for your business’ requirements.

The BRAIN project is receiving up to £600,000 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 20142020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund.

Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.

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BUSINESS SURVEY

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NETWORKING

Game, set & network Tennis is the theme of Net XP’s West Sussex Expo on June 13th; there’ll be inspirational speakers, a focus on technology and innovation, and of course, strawberries and cream

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s sensational as Tiger Wood’s swing, the golf-themed East Sussex Marketing Expo on March 21st was above par. The charming East Sussex National, near Uckfield, filled up with exhibitors, selling out early thanks to a business buzz generated

by Net XP’s new and improved style of conference and tradeshow.

The ‘Early Bird’ breakfast conference started the day off on a high, with wonderful speakers motivating and inspiring exhibitors and visitors alike, and a day of tradeshow success followed. A strong line up of engaging speakers is always a major attraction; Net XP did not disappoint with three fantastic local speakers for the day - Mina O’Brien of Ditzy Media, Jonty Egginton of Egg Media and Harry Daymond of Kart Kompany.

Each speaker delivered tips of their trades covering social media, video production and business marketing, sharing priceless stories and trade secrets to help visitors expand their own businesses. The Q&A sessions afterwards evoked strong questions and dynamic discussions which carried on long afterwards amongst guests.

Net XP host four events per year with Sonny Cutting, Events Director and Games Master, already starting the journey in the run-up to Net XP’s next event – the West Sussex Tech Expo on June 13th. The special-focused technology and innovation exhibition has moved to Butlins in Bognor Regis, with an exciting new format at a bigger venue.

As with every exhibition, an icebreaker game theme is incorporated and June’s event will get you in the mood for July’s Wimbledon Tournament.

Keynote speakers for the renowned

Early Bird conference will include Victoria Hilditch of Vinco Marketing, Jim Cunliffe of Face Media Group and Matt Hunt, the Co-founder of the Protein Ball Co. Luxury Hamper prize to win too.

Register on the site for your visitor pass today - prizes on the day include tickets to Wimbledon to watch a few opening games and you’ll have the chance to play the VR tennis tournament. Summer is on its way, bringing the tantalising prospect of strawberries and cream and a little bit of fizz!

We’d like to thank our premier sponsors Platinum Business Magazine, Cooden Tax Consulting, Face Media Group and EXA Networks for sponsoring the Net XP event in June. We would also like to thank our partner sponsors who can be found at netxp.co.uk.

June is lining up to be the best yet.

Register now to make sure you don’t miss out! Visit netxp.co.uk or contact the Events Director for more information on 01273 833 222.

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Reap the benefits of clean and green How do companies benefit from going green? The University of Brighton’s Green Growth Platform on how businesses can run more environmentally friendly

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he Green Growth Platform’s mission is to help businesses reap the benefits of running cleaner and greener. That can mean supporting businesses to develop and market green products and services, as well as helping businesses create more efficient processes and business models.

responsibility for our economy to be cleaner is greater and greater. Businesses running cleaner operations and providing greener products and services can contribute enormously to a bright and prosperous future for generations to come.

your resources will drive down costs, and in turn increase profits.

High employee satisfaction

Engaging employees to identify solutions to operating inefficiencies can help improve their morale and increase staff retention. And involving them in the development of new products and services can empower them and garner long term commitment to the cause.

“With the urgency to act on climate change ratcheting up by the day, the responsibility for our economy to be cleaner is greater and greater”

Based at the University of Brighton, the team help businesses to develop, implement and commercialise ideas through access to university expertise and facilities, commercialisation advice and coaching, and an investment readiness programme.

Benefits to your business

With the urgency to act on climate change ratcheting up by the day, the

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But the benefits to being green aren’t just altruistic. The gains to your business can be far reaching, and will ultimately drive more profits:

Reduced costs

A leaner operation that focuses on reducing waste, increasing energy efficiency and maximising value from

Improved value to the customer

Reducing inefficiencies, either in your processes or in your end product or service will improve your customers’ satisfaction. Either they’ll be getting a better product, or a better level of customer service. And knowing that you’re mini-

GREEN GROWTH PLATFORM

Green Growth workshops This summer the Green Growth Platform is running a series of five workshops to help businesses identify opportunities for clean and green innovation, and give them the tools to implement those ideas

Strategy on a Page

Every business needs a strategy, particularly when going through change.

But often it ends up too long and unread by anybody but those who wrote it. This workshop uses the BGI Strategy on a Page canvas to get your business strategy onto one page, forcing you to focus on what’s most important and making it clear and simple for your team, stakeholders and investors.

mising the environmental impact your business has will give them an extra reason to choose you over a competitor.

Reduce your risk

Improving the efficiency of how you use your resources, and reducing your fossil fuel usage, makes you less dependent on external factors to keep running.

The Green Growth Platform is the South East Regional Hub for Clean Growth UK, a network delivering business innovation support through its regional university hubs in Brighton, Liverpool and Portsmouth. Businesses of any size and in any sector with a mission to reduce their impact on the environment can get involved at clean-growth.uk

You’ll develop a clear strategy of your business vision, purpose, values, market proposition and strategic actions with measurable performance indicators.

Clean Growth Innovation In partnership with Sussex Chamber of Commerce

Clean Growth Innovation is the development of any new and improved product, process, business model or service that provides value for your business, whilst significantly decreasing environmental impact.

This workshop will give you insight into what the opportunities are in your business, and how to implement them. You‘ll cover energy saving and generation, process automation, circular economy, strategy, supply chain management, staff engagement and smart technology.

Profitnet taster

Profitnet brings together business owners and MDs in a monthly facilitated group to share experiences

and co-create solutions to their business problems. Developed by the University of Brighton, Profitnet has been proven to increase profits and develop innovations and collaborations for 1000s of businesses.

This taster workshop will give you a flavour of what goes on in a Profitnet group, and an insight into the impact it can have on your business.

Building Your Innovation Team

To successfully innovate in a business takes a varied skillset – from idea generation to securing investment. This workshop will help you understand the strengths and weaknesses in your management team, and identify the people you need to work with to compliment your skills and talents.

Business Model Canvas

Learn about the building blocks of business – the nine categories identified by Swiss business model guru Alexander Osterwalder and management Information Systems professor Yves Pigneur in their famous Business Model Canvas.

This workshop will support you to develop a clearly laid out business model, so that you can easily describe it to your employees, stakeholders or potential investors.

To find out workshop dates, venues and how to book, plus how to get support from the Green Growth Platform and its Clean Growth UK partners, go to www.clean-growth.uk

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SUS SE X

NEW HOME S AWARDS

Nominations are now open for the inaugural Sussex New Homes Awards which celebrate the property growth of the region. This is a unique opportunity to gain recognition across the whole of the South East for your achievements, be recognised as the leader in your field and gain a wealth of publicity for your company.

There is a category for all sectors.

There are still a few sponsorship opportunities available.

For more information contact info@platinumpublishing.co.uk

Go to www.sussexnewhomes.com and download your entry form

1

DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR (MORE THAN 20 HOMES)

2

DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR (LESS THAN 20 HOMES)

3

AFFORDABLE NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

4

ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR

5

RETIREMENT DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR

6

ARCHITECT OF THE YEAR

7

REGENERATION PROJECT OF THE YEAR

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LUXURY HOME OF THE YEAR

9

MARKETING CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR

10

ESTATE AGENCY OF THE YEAR

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CONVERSION OF THE YEAR

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INTERIOR DESIGN OF THE YEAR

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LANDSCAPE DESIGN OF THE YEAR

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SMART HOME OF THE YEAR

15

DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR

♦ ENTRY DEADLINE JUNE 24th 2019 ♦ AWARDS CEREMONY OCTOBER 10th 2019 ♦ HILTON BRIGHTON METROPOLE

NEXT ISSUE NEXT MONTH IN PLATINUM BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Is Crawley

the new Manhattan?

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Gatwick Diamond. This will drive a diverse retail offer, excellent public realm, high quality town centre living and a thriving evening economy.”

Crawley Borough Council and its partners have created a Town Centre Regeneration Programme (see below) that will create “a dynamic business growth hub with a bold and vibrant community heart for Crawley and the

The town centre already boasts an impressive collection of leading businesses including ASB Law, ASSI (Air Safety Support International), DMH Stallard, Grant Thornton, Irwin Mitchell, PwC, Rapidata, RBS, RSM, Regus, Theradex and Travelopia. Crawley’s Manor Royal Business District covers an area of 240 hectares and is home to over

rawley is readying itself for a dramatic renaissance; the planned development and regeneration programmes will create a dynamic hub befitting its prime location next to the world’s busiest single runway airport.

600 businesses generating 30,000 jobs.

Today, Crawley has an important and thriving economy. But the potential for the town is immense - and we will keep you undated and informed. We will be closely following the progress of the Crawley revolution in the pages of Platinum Business Magazine - starting with a celebration of the town’s business scene in the May issue.

Get involved - Now it is Crawley’s time to shine.

To be included in this major feature, contact: Lesley Alcock 07767 613707 lesley@platinumpublishing.co.uk

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BUSINESS FEATURE

The Commercial Park Group come to Sussex

Sussex has long been pining for first-class office accommodation and, it would appear, the wait is over with the arrival of the Commercial Park Group

By Maarten Hoffmann

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every major site across the capital and he London based CommerTCPG is the latest venture from retheir development in Hanover Square cial Park Group (TCPG) denowned property developer and inin London’s West End was the first velops and delivers leading vestor, John Baker who has been at building to break the £100 per sq. ft. commercial sites across the capital the forefront of the property sector threshold. John has now and they are about to make a turned his sights to Sussex significant impression within “Going to the office could with two major developthe Sussex market, with two now become an energising ments that bring first-class A major office developments in grade office accommodation Crawley and Haywards Heath. experience, which promotes to the region in partnership wellbeing and physical health, with Sir Robert McAlpine, the One of the groups brand ethos building and civil engineeris the development of office and enriches mind and soul” ing company that contribute space with great attention their outstanding global technical exto the health & wellbeing of the occufor over 50 years. His historic venpertise to the projects. pants to enhance employee satisfacture was the boutique Baker Lorenz tion and helping them to find ‘zen’ in property agency in London that over Over lunch in the Westbury Hotel in the office. three decades, developed just about

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“An attractive, welcoming and forward-thinking place to live and work.” are no longer fit for purpose and therefore large international companies have until now been searching elsewhere to set up their headquarters.

This is soon to change.”

The HH site has now gained full planning permission and will offer 65,000 sq. ft. of grade A office space, catering to major international companies looking to move their operations to beautifully designed locations outside of central London. Their intention is to deliver a fresh mode of working and set a new benchmark for office accommodation in the South East, aimed at meeting the exact requirements of large corporates.

The site is 500 metres from the train station and forms the western side of Perrymount Road, the commercial artery within Mid Sussex.

Above: Haywards Heath Park Right: John Baker, Chairman of TCPG

central London, John stated: ‘We have been developing in London for many years and there is now a great need to look outside of the capital, and Sussex was the obvious choice for companies wishing to relocate. We see a huge opportunity in Haywards Heath, which is an incredibly well-connected town that benefits from being in a beautiful location and a dedicated and well-educated workforce. The problem to date has been that many office buildings in the area

The group’s second site, Gatwick Park, is on Gatwick Road in Crawley in the heart of the Gatwick Diamond region and Manor Royal, with Phase 1 comprising 110,000 sq.ft. of contemporary office space and Phase 2, offering a further 57,000 sq.ft. Such has been the overwhelming positive response to the plans, that adjacent sites are being considered as possible collaborative schemes with Gatwick Park. It is generally understood that this development will create some of the finest workspace in the region that will act as a magnet for large companies.

There has long been the feeling that large corporates have tended to only consider London for their headquarters but with space in the

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BUSINESS FEATURE capital being in very short supply, with costs that are rocketing to untenable amounts, Sussex is the obvious choice for relocation. Not only does the region have the available space but being surrounded by a well-skilled workforce, beautiful countryside and great transport links, it is about time that a major developer, such as John Baker, recognised this untapped potential. John has not only recognised this but is proceeding with pace and great sensitivity to the working environment – something this publication has been deeply involved in with our Vitality Health & Wellbeing in the Workplace features in an attempt to curb the £100 billion a year lost to the economy by avoidable absences.

This starts with the working environment and TCPG, in partnership with one of the country’s most innovative architectural practices, Urban Infill, led

by Founder, Ian Dollamore will deliver these projects. Ian’s focus is on maximising the potential of properties and development sites within the context

John Baker’s desire to innovate remains as strong as ever.

of their surroundings and creating an environment that is conducive to the wellbeing of the occupants. Ian honed these impressive skills whilst working on the Duchy of Cornwall’s renowned project, Poundbury in Dorset, that had a rather demanding royal boss!!

The group has appointed Stephen Oli-

ver of Vail Williams along with JLL and CrickMay to strengthen the team, and Stephen commented: ‘It is great to be appointed to represent TCPG on the Haywards Heath project, following on from our appointment to their Gatwick Park project last year. We are seeing a growing appetite for investment in the area and we believe that these projects represent the very best HQ-style space the South East has to offer.’

Sir Robert McAlpine, having delivered the Olympic Park, the 02 Arena, the Eden Project and Victoria Square in Woking will now bring their considerable talents to bear on the TCPG projects thus ensuring that our region will now see the development of some of the most prestigious and well-designed office accommodation in the country, that will eventually deliver more than 2 million sq.ft. of workspace across the region, with a value, in excess of £2 billion.

The Commercial Park Group 33 Newman Street, London W1T 1PY www.commercial-park.com

Gatwick Park

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An outstanding success The Chestnut Tree House Business Awards took place last month and recognised the charitable work of local businesses and individual employees Photographer: Graham Franks Photography presenter, Allison Ferns, and Chestnut Tree House Vice President, Ambrose Harcourt.

Chestnut Tree House Interim CEO Rosemarie Finlay

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ver 100 people attended the 2019 Chestnut Tree House Business Awards ceremony, which took place at South Lodge Hotel on Thursday 7th March. Held biennially, the Awards were created to recognise businesses and individual employees who are outstanding in their communities, and to thank them for supporting Chestnut Tree House. The event was hosted by BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey

Sarah Colbourne, Head of Fundraising at Chestnut Tree House said: “Last year, we celebrated Chestnut Tree House’s 15th birthday – 15 years of caring for children and young people with life-shortening conditions in Sussex and South East Hampshire. Without the ongoing support and generosity of our local community, it would not be possible for us to continue providing the care that is vital to so many children and their families. Businesses – large and small – are a huge part of that, and we would like to say a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of our supporters for everything that they do for Chestnut Tree House.

The winners and grand finalists were chosen based on a variety of different criteria, including outstanding team work and innovation. There were over 80 nominations, which were narrowed down by a panel of judges – leading entrepreneur and award-winning businessman, Kevin Byrne; Chestnut Tree House Trustee, Maureen Chowen; previous Business Award winner and company director, Colin Davis; and former events company director, Jon Rogers.

“We received a lot of entries this year, and choosing the winners was definitely not an easy task. Thank you too to our sponsors, Creative Pod, Hiykon Pro Audio, Picture Book Films, Platinum Publishing Group, South Lodge Hotel and Sussex Promotions.

Outstanding SME Supporter, Knockhatch Adventure Park

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“Finally, I would like to thank everyone who entered our Business Awards.

Your support – past, present, and future – is invaluable.”

Outstanding Small Business, The Green Tree Gallery

BUSINESS CHARITY SURVEY NEWS

Most Innovative Fundraising Idea, Dometic

Outstanding Individual Fundraiser, Jamie Alderton

Outstanding Corporate Supporter, Shoreham Vehicle Auctions

Fundraising Team of the Year, AJW Aviation

Corporate Legacy Award, Willmott Dixon

Outstanding Voluntary Project, Adam Kerry and friends

Outstanding Long Term Suporter, Teddy Bear Run

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Medieval mayhem The second Brighton Medieval Banquet raised nearly £18,000 in aid of Sussex Cancer Fund at The Grand in March

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fter the success on the unique fundraiser in 2017, organisers Mayo Wynne Baxter pulled the stops out to create medieval mayhem. Corporate fundraisers are usually black tie events but this was like no other in the county.

As guests arrived at the themed event they were greeted by actual knights in shining armour before enjoying tankards of ale and goblets of wine donated by The Grand. The venue was transformed into a great banqueting hall and guests were entertained by fire dancers, magicians, jesters, and medieval minstrels. Sheriff Sid Sloane (TV presenter and actor) summoned his ‘tax collectors’ to raise much needed funds through games like heads & tails and he even imposed a tax on salt & pepper.

The food took a medieval theme too as The Grand’s chefs served a ‘Peasants Broth’ to start, a platter of meat on the bone for the main and a delicious apple and fig pie for dessert served with local Sussex Mead.

There was a generous prize worth £750 for the Best Dressed Couple which was donated by James Ross Jewellers and won for the second time by Michelle and Geoff Rauf who had handmade their outfits.

Organiser Jason Edge said: “The Sussex business community have again been exceptionally generous and we had prize donations for the raffle and auction worth £11,000.

There were so many prizes that it felt like everyone won something on the night”

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“It was fantastic to see everyone get into the spirit of things and raise money whilst having a lot of fun” said Chris Randall, Chief Executive of Mayo Wynne Baxter who sponsored the event.

“One in three people in Sussex will develop cancer and the money raised will go towards ensuring patients in Sussex have the very best possible cancer care” said Julia Lenton from Sussex Cancer Fund. “Unlike many charities, costs are exceptionally low with only a

very small percentage spent on administration; almost all money donated to us can be spent directly to benefit our patients.”

Latest TV’s Andrew Kay acted as auctioneer for six amazing lots including private use of the Sea Life Centre and tickets to the Festival of Sussex GINs in May. The final total was announced at just under £18,000 as the live band Empire got everyone dancing into the early hours.

MEDIEVAL BUSINESSBANQUET SURVEY

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Shake Hands in the

United Arab Emirates 80

BUSINESS SURVEY TRAVEL

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As the nation gears up to host Expo2020, Rose Dykins reports on its post-event plans to convert the expo site into an innovation hub

trees” have photovoltaic panels, a nod to photosynthesis. The Mobility Pavilion, designed by Foster and Partners is a temple to mankind’s digital and physical progress through the ages. Finally, created by Australia’s Cox Architecture, the concrete-free Opportunity Paince it was first held in London Plans have been unveiled for the vilion will be built entirely from timber, in 1851, the World Expo has 438-hectare expo site, which is locatrope and stone, and the venue will have been about unveiling invened in southern Dubai, one metro stop “decision-making areas” where people tions and game-changing concepts away from Dubai Al Maktoum airport. can meet to discuss actions that could – from mobile phones to electricity.

The idea is for the area – dubbed Dismake a positive change on a global Taking place every five years, the event trict 2020 – to reopen a year on from scale. Of the three, it’s is a mark of where internabeen confirmed that the tional ingenuity is heading; “In October 2020, 25 million Sustainability Pavilion will the pinnacle of breakthrough technology. Cities that host people will travel to the UAE over remain intact after Expo the gargantuan global exhibi- a six-month period to attend this 2020 and be transformed into a “centre for child and tion are often left with a monument to mark the occasion: international exchange of ideas” scientific education.”

Paris gained the Eiffel Tower, A major part of Expo2020 that will live Seattle the Space Needle. So, what kind the World Expo as a thriving commuon in District 2020 is Al Wasl Plaza. of legacy will the 2020 edition leave for nity complete with superlative infraA 150-metre-wide, temperature-conthe United Arab Emirates? structure that will continue to attract trolled dome at the centre of the expo international business. And, judging by site - it will be a focal point that conIn October 2020, 25 million people the renderings, it’s as ambitious and nects the Sustainability, Mobility and will travel to the UAE over a six-month maximalist as you would expect.

Opportunity pavilions, where people period to attend this international excan meet in its manicured parks, bechange of ideas. It’s the first time the The three sub-themes of the expo will side its flowing fountains, or in its resevent has ever been hosted in the Mideach be represented by a pavilion detaurants. The structure will remain as dle East, North Africa and South Asia signed by a world-leading architect. it is, creating a community hub for Disregion, and this time the theme is “ConThe Sustainability Pavilion, for examtrict 2020. necting Minds, Creating the Future,” ple, conceived by Grimshaw Architects, with sub-themes of “Sustainability, draws inspiration from natural proEach of the 190 nations taking part in Mobility and Opportunity.” cesses – its gigantic roof and “energy

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© Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

Al Wasl Plaza

Design Architects of the project: Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill Design Firm for the project: Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

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TRAVEL

NEW PL ACES

Photo courtesy of Es Devlin Studio

for a meeting or event

The UK’s Poem Pavilion

the World Expo also has its own pavilion showcasing aspects of its national character and achievements. And the UAE’s pavilion – designed by Spanish architect Calatrava – will be at the heart of the exhibition site. Shaped like a falcon’s wing, the 15,000 sqm venue represents the nation’s “bold and daring spirit”, and its auditorium, exhibition space and VIP lounges will remain intact after the expo for event planners to make use of in future. (As

an aside, the UK’s pavilion, designed by British set designer Es Devlion, will be a 20-metre-high, cone-shaped structure that will light up with poems in Arabic, Chinese, French and English that have been co-created by artificial intelligence and visitors to the pavilion. The idea is to highlight the UK’s “expertise in artificial intelligence and space exploration”).

After the World Expo is over, more than 80% of the event’s site will be repurposed in some way, and the UAE hopes that District 2020 will build on the good work of hosting Expo 2020 by furthering the nation’s reputation for its knowledge economy. Siemens has already expressed an interest in operating a logistics hub in District 2020, but the new area is also seeking tech companies to occupy its 140,000 sqm of commercial space, and benefit from its 5G connection speed. The area will also operate as a Free Trade Zone, allowing foreign-owned businesses to operate tax-free.

The UAE’s “build it and they will come” philosophy prevails and its staggering plans for development never seem to slow down. Time will tell whether these plans live up to their promise, but this will arguably be the most ambitious World Expo to date, setting up big expectations for the impact the event will have on the nation’s future.

Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah, Dubai

Open since February, this ultra-luxe beachfront resort is the first Mandarin Oriental property to open in the Middle East. With 256 rooms, six restaurants and bars, a 700 sqm glass-walled ballroom and a glitzy pool area facing out towards the Arabian Gulf, it has plenty to recommend it for high-octane events. mandarinoriental.com

Cote D’Azur, The Heart of Europe

Dubai’s World Islands – an artificial archipelago replicating an aerial view of a world map – have been a long time in the making, with many rightly dubious that they would ever be completed, but the first island is set to debut later this year. The Heart of Europe will have 13 hotels, one of which is the contemporary Mediterranean Cote D’Azur hotel, offering 992-rooms, white sand beaches, courtyards, gardens and dining options. thoe.com/dps/the-cote-dazur-hotel

W Dubai, The Palm

The blingy W brand opened a 350room property on Dubai’s The Palm island development in February.

The property’s Great Room can hold up to 800 people and there are six high-tech studios and “strategy rooms” for smaller meetings. marriott.co.uk

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check-in Month-to-month changes shaping your travel, by Rose Dykins

Gatwick gains direct flights to Istanbul

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urkish Airlines has launched non-stop flights between Istanbul and Gatwick Airport.

The carrier now operates a four-times-weekly service between the two cities – the only direct link from the London airport to Istanbul – with the airline’s 737-800 aircraft.

Turkish Airlines will switch its Istanbul operations from Istanbul Ataturk airport to the city’s new airport (which was set to open at the time of going to press).

Ryanair launches loyalty programme

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ollowing in the footsteps of rival low-cost carrier Easyjet, Ryanair has announced it will launch a paid-for reward scheme later this year, named Ryanair Choice.

For £199, passengers will be entitled to priority boarding, fast-track airport security (where applicable), the option to select their seat (not extra legroom seats) and 10kg of checked luggage. The airline currently charges around £30 for these “perks” per return flight.

The introduction of Ryanair Choice is part of a series of “customer care improvements” from the airline, which included the carrier’s pledge of 90% punctuality on its flights, with 5% taken off the following month’s fares if it fails to meet this.

Iberia to trial in-flight virtual reality

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beria has announced plans to team up with virtual reality (VR) provider Inflight VR to offer passenger VR experiences during their journey.

For six months this year, Pico headsets will be available for rent on two of the airline’s routes, allowing passengers to experience 3D content in games, films, city travelogues and documentaries.

Nikolas Jaeger, founder and managing director of Inflight VR, said, “We think virtual reality has a great potential and it can change the air passenger experience as a part of the in-flight entertainment programme. The viewer is no longer a mere observer, but can take a stroll in the city he or she will be visiting.”

Global 4G provider launches free app

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onnectivity provider Skyroam Solis has launched a free app to accompany its portable hotspot device. Providing 4G LTE connectivity across more than 130 countries for up to five devices, the portable hotspot also doubles up as a power bank, and costs £135. Users

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choose a subscription plan – be it a day pass (£6.87) or a monthly plan (£68.67) for unlimited global wifi.

Skyroam Solis’s new free app enables customers to connect faster to the device, and is free to download for iOS and Android.

Gatwick Airport connects you directly to over 120 stations

BUSINESS SURVEY

You’d have to go a long way to beat that

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Vietnam BUCKET LIST:

Rose Dykins reveals why the nation is such a captivating place to escape to, whatever kind of traveller you are

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and aspire to track through its preietnam is one of the most try is a fascinating, poignant place for cipitous valleys, or cycle through its compelling travel destinatravellers to absorb some important electric green rice paddies and windtions on the planet. Any foodlessons from global history. ing mountain passes. And the indelible ie worth their salt is familiar with its flavours, and longs A journey from north to taste fresh spring “Adventurers are drawn to its diverse landscape, to south (or vice verrolls laced with corisa) taking in Vietnam’s and aspire to track through its precipitous ander and steaming major cities and rural bowls of fatty pho can be done by valleys, or cycle through its electric green rice areas from the source. For motorbike, by air or by honeymooners, the train. The latter is well paddies and winding mountain passes” nation pairs exciting worth it for an authenmark the Vietnam War has left on the culture with ultra-luxe beach resorts tic experience – Vietnam’s Reunificanation, combined with grand relics of with world-leading spas. Adventurers tion Express links the capital of Hanoi its Imperial heritage, means the counare drawn to its diverse landscape, in the north with Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

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BUSINESS LUXURY SURVEY TRAVEL one afternoon, and have it delivered to your hotel the next day. Hue, the former capital, is home to the awe-inspiring Forbidden Purple City. And the capital of Hanoi, with its gentile architecture and public parks, is the best point to access Ha Long Bay, with its mystical network of limestone islands topped with rainforest.

A new addition to Vietnam’s luxury scene is Anantara Quy Nhon Villas (anantara.com), which opened in November. A one hour flight from Ho Chi Minh, the secluded resort occupies seven acres of lush hillside overlooking a tranquil bay. Its 26 villas have personal pools and wine cellars, and its restaurant has a rather intriguing “salt library”.

Ha Long Bay

in the south in 36 hours. An overnight sleeper train from Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang is an ideal journey length for seeing rural Vietnam from the ground, and you can buy cups of coffee sweetened with condensed milk through the carriage window.

Each city along the way has a distinctive character. The busyness of Ho Chi

Minh can be overwhelming, but you can escape to its buzzy rooftop bars and hideaway coffee shops, while cultural sites such as the Cu Chi Tunnels and the sobering War Remnants Museum should not be missed.

The pretty UNESCO port city of Hoi An is famous for its tailoring shops where you can order a made-to-measure suit

And the 133-room Legacy Yen Tu hotel (legacyyentu.com) is a new boutique option opened by MGallery by Sofitel at the end of last year on Yen Tu Mountain, close to Ha Long Bay. Set along a Buddhist pilgrimage path, with a design inspired by ancient Vietnamese architecture and handcraft traditions, the hotel is a sanctuary at 1,608 metres above sea level.

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The world’s Lamborghini have joined the club of manufacturers who produce sport utility vehicles (SUV). Sacrilege surely?

By Maarten Hoffmann

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h how l have buried my head in my hands at the continuing trend for the world’s finest automobile manufacturers to attempt to produce SUV’s to jump on the bandwagon. Bentley have done it with the Bentayga, Porsche have done it with the Cayenne and Macan, Rolls, god forbid, are attempting it with the Cullinan and now we have the arbiter of all things fast, Lamborghini with their Urus. Really...

tice, this is an astonishing supercar on steroids. Its fair to say that we all wanted them to pop in the howling V10 or V12 from the Aventador and Huracan but you cannot be disappointed with the chosen 4.0-litre V8 that produces 641bhp and propels you at such an astonishing rate of knots that it rather takes your breath away. This the first turbo-charged Lambo and the VW Group have thrown everything at this car, and it shows.

But then they sent me one and l am forced to eat my words.

The concern at these speeds in a 2.2 tonne car is stopping. Worry not as the carbon ceramic brakes are the largest ever fitted to a road car and boy do they stop this monster. Pulling it from 150mph to a full stop is a mighty

On paper, this is a disaster – supercar DNA in a 2.2 tonne high-riding SUV and then charge £165,000 for it! In prac-

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achievement and with hardly a wiggle or a concern.

Due to its bulk, the four-wheel steering comes in very handy and makes the turning circle tighter than a Huracan.

This helps with hairpins and parking but also seems to assist with fast cornering as this thing will go round corners in such a way as to rewrite the law of physics. Then floor it out of a tight corner and it is so composed that the driver might feel they have suddenly inherited the talents of Lewis Hamilton.

Inside, all is rather fab. And rather Italian. Not only the fighter jet red flap covering the start button but alongside you have the selector for the various drive modes, in Italian. Strada (street), Sport (er, sport) and Corsa (race). Then you have the off-road modes – Terra (gravel), Sabbia (sand) and Neve (snow). The only problem here is that to get the full throaty roar out of the tail

BUSINESS MOTORING SURVEY

fastest SUV pipes, you have to pop it into race and then you are left sweating, as that setting takes out the idiot-proof controls and leaves you in control. I would prefer a separate button for the noise as it is quite simply, glorious but l prefer the traction control firmly on whilst on a public road.

The seats are divine and the space is very deceiving. As with the sloping roofline one might expect it to be cramped in the back, but not at all.

Plenty of room for two six footers and with 1,596 litres of load space when all seats are flat, this really is a practical SUV that could be taken to the shops or the school run. In fact, as l live my normal life every week l review these cars, l did indeed go to Waitrose, pick the girls up from school and, admittedly, crammed in all my long-distance meetings and it fared as well as any SUV on the market. OK, it got a lot more attention but coped with supreme ease.

The 21-speaker B&O sound system is superb, the head up display endlessly useful and there seems to have been an alcantara explosion everywhere else.

The company claim this is their most fuel efficient car ever due to the witchcraft of being able to shut down four cylinders under 3,000rpm but its claim of 22.2mpg could be accurate but with my quite heavy right foot, l am sure l got little more than 15mpg out of it. But who cares? This is not a car for eco-mentalists or those on a budget. This monster is designed for those with cash to flash, probably already have a few supercars in the garage and need something to pop to the shops or charge across the acreage.

In conclusion, the most stunning aspect of this car is its ability to adapt. On the road, it is stunning and so very very fast; on the

track it is well planted and breeds the sort of confidence that leads such boy racers to feel they could actually be a racer; off-road, it is competent and sure footed. There are very few cars on this planet that can stake these claims and l for one can attest to them.

Lamborghini sell only 3,500 cars per year which they expect to double with the introduction of the Urus and all 3,500 of them are already reserved.

The fastest SUV in the world? Probably.

TECH STUFF Model tested: Lamborghini Urus Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo Power: 650bhp Speed: 0-60 3.6 seconds Top: 217mph Economy: 12.7 mpg combined Price from: £160,000

“Due to its bulk, the four-wheel steering comes in very handy and makes the turning circle tighter than a Huracan”

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A-Star car The Mercedes A-Class has been with us in various forms since 1997 and is often referred to by its fans as the Baby Benz

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hen launched, this was the company’s first compact model and gained its designer, Martin Mattin the title of Designer of the Year.

The A-Class became a huge seller for the company, therefore there was considerable expectation heaped upon this new model. I can assure you, it does not disappoint.

“This is a cinemascope experience that is spectacular and takes us in the realm of sci-fi”

This a new platform, with a 12cm longer wheelbase than previous models and it is stronger and lighter than before. The most noticeable facet is the dash which they call a ‘glass cockpit’. No convention dials but rather a highly configured screen display called MBUX, standing for Mercedes-Benz User Experience. I am not sure it is

TECH STUFF Model tested: A250 AMG Line Engine: 2.0-litre turbo petrol Power: 224bhp Speed: 0-60 6.2 seconds Top: 155mph Economy: 45.6mpg combined Price from: £26,025 As tested: £28,129

Best lease quote: Mercedes-Benz Guildford A180SE, £299pm. 48 months.

5.7% APR. www.sandown-group.co.uk

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an ‘experience’ but it is a very effective and easy to use dash set up that includes two 7-inch screens running navigation and all connected services

as with the ever-changing cockpits of modern cars, we are still taking our eyes off the road to turn dials when, surely, we should just be telling the car what to do. Mercedes boast that this is the first system that really works and as the engineers urge: ‘It accepts natural language – ask it anything.’ It takes a while for the system to understand how you speak and in the meantime there are some hilarious results.

I was showing it to some friends and told it to turn on the lights. It preceded to turn on the air conditioning. But, once it got the gist of my speech pattern, it really is the first automotive voice recognition system that works and once mastered, it makes a mockery of all those dials that one needs to locate whilst doing 70mph on the motorway.

Just tell it what you want to do and it does it.

such as live traffic. This is a cinemascope experience that is spectacular and takes us in the realm of sci-fi, and marks the total redundancy of the old analogue layout.

Then there is the item that l have really been waiting for – a voice activation system that actually works. I say this

Propulsion wise, my review model was the A250, offering 224bhp and it really shifts. It feels traditionally Merc - sturdy, ridiculously well-put together, solid,

BUSINESS MOTORING SURVEY stable and a joy to drive. They have certainly managed to produce a relatively small car that seems huge on the inside, with room for all. It’s a compact car but with all the feeling of the bigger, spacious cars in the range and they have done a sterling job.

Regarding the power plants, there is the 180, 200, 220 and 250 although l am sure there will be more along later and a fully electric model cannot be far behind. The 180 is too slow, the 200 is better but the 250 is the one for me.

The A250 offers a 2-litre turbo petrol plant and is everything you will ever need. This model also comes with standard full independent suspension and you can add adaptive dampers, if so desired.

Inside, the cabin is close to perfection.

The stylish air vents work well and are a great design feature. The graphics quality is superb and although it has a touch screen pad in the centre console, which l always avoid, this one really works well once you have wrapped your head around it. With the voice activation, be aware of saying the word Mercedes in any conversation with your passengers or on the phone as it

“Inside, the cabin is close to perfection” makes the system spring into action and can surprise you.

The seating configuration is very good with plenty of room for two adults in the back and the boot offers 375 litres of space or 1210 when all the seats are flat.

chassis has natural poise and agility.

If you are looking for a relatively compact car with great residual value, a joy to drive and offers a very nice place to sit on long journey’s - this is the car for you.

The brakes pull it to a stop in a very respectable manner considering it is stopping 1374kg of metal mass and the

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Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce www.businessinbrighton.org.uk

The Big Debate: Are Brighton’s businesses reaching far enough?

Date: Tuesday 9th April Time: 4:30pm-7pm Venue: Brighton Metropolitan College, Pelham Street, Brighton At this next Big Debate, we’ll be exploring and discussing what more we could do to make Brighton a global contender in business.

Behind the Scenes at Plumpton College Date: Thursday 11th April Time: 5:30pm-7pm Venue: Plumpton College, Ditchling Road, Lewes In the latest of our popular Behind the Scenes events, discover Plumpton College - its vineyards, local cheeses, and sample their wares during a fascinating 45-minute tour.

Beer and cheese tasting social Date: Wednesday 17th April Time: 6pm-8pm Venue: Loud Shirt Brewing Co., Unit 5, Bell Tower Industrial Estate, Roedean Road, Brighton Join us for a beer tasting event with Loud Shirt Brewing Co., featuring a range of five of their beers complete with fantastic local meat, cheese and vegan snacks.

The ‘Man Bites Dog’ Lunch – Look up, scale up!

Date: Wednesday 24th April Time: 12pm-2.30pm Venue: Murmur, 91-96 Kings Road Arches, Brighton Claire Mason, CEO at Man Bites Dog, will explain her vision for sustaining the independent thinking that drives Brighton’s unique culture.

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www.eastbourneunltd.co.uk

Late Breakfast Networking Date: Wednesday 10th April Time: 9am Venue: The Art House, 34 Grove Road, Eastbourne Price: Members £11 | Non-Members £16 (includes VAT) A popular late networking breakfast meeting. This unique venue provides an informal environment for attendees to make new business connections over a great breakfast.

Chamber Breakfast Date: Tuesday 16th April Time: 7am Venue: All Saints Chapel, 22 Darley Road, Eastbourne Price: Members £11 | Non-Members £16 (includes VAT) Members are invited to attend this popular networking event and promote their business services over breakfast. A great opportunity to meet with other local business people and showcase your business.

Members Evening at the Enterprise Centre Date: Wednesday 24th April Time: 5pm Venue: Thai Brasserie, The Enterprise Centre, Station Parade, Eastbourne Price: Free to attend A free member’s evening hosted by Wayfinder Woman to launch the Women’s Manifesto. Complimentary wine and delicious Thai nibbles will be provided and ample opportunity for networking.

Edeal First Friday business networking Date: Friday 3rd May Time: 12.30pm Venue: The Cavendish Hotel, 38 Grand Parade, Eastbourne Price: Free to attend The First Friday Network is a monthly free to attend business networking event. An informal gathering in a welcoming environment where people feel relaxed and are free to present a 60 second elevator pitch.

chambers BUSINESS SURVEY

Sussex Chamber of Commerce www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk

Cyber Security – GDPR a year on Date: Tuesday 2nd April Time: 8am-10.30am Venue: Holiday Inn London Gatwick Airport, Crawley Price: Members £25 I Non-Members £35 (excludes VAT) The role of this forum is to share information and challenges, raise concerns and get advice from an independent trusted advisor.

Grow Your Connections Date: Tuesday 9th April Time: 8.30am-10.30am Venue: Barnsgate Manor Vineyards, Herons Ghyll, Uckfield Price: Members £15.00 I Non-Members £20.00 (excl VAT) These events are designed to give you a regular opportunity to meet other businesses, share best practice, grow your connections and widen your own network of customers and suppliers.

Making Good Decisions in Times of Change Date: Monday 29th April Time: 8am-10.30am Venue: Goodwood Hotel, Chichester Price: Members £16 I Non-Members £22 (excludes VAT) Never has good decision making been so important, however, sound knowledge that leaders need to make those decisions is becoming harder to interpret. These tensions will be explored focusing on the practical implications for leadership within small and medium-sized business today.

Joint Speed Networking Date: Wednesday 1st May Time: 4pm-7pm Venue: Civic Centre, Uckfield Price: Members £7 I Non-Members £10 (excludes VAT) This new joint Chamber event offers networking with a difference with Crowborough, Eastbourne and Uckfield chambers. Make new contacts quickly, expand your business, have fun!

Worthing & Adur Chamber of Commerce

www.worthingandadurchamber.co.uk

Logo and brand identity WiseUp2 Date: Tuesday 9th April Time: 1.30-3.30pm Venue: Centre For Leadership, GB MET, Broadwater Road, Worthing Price: Members £35+VAT | Non-members £75+VAT Gain a better understanding of your brand identity and how to get the best, cost effective and quality results across all your marketing materials.

Chamber Hub Date: Friday 12th April Time: 12:30pm-2:30pm Venue: Impulse Leisure, Lancing Price: Free Spend your lunchtime enjoying some informal networking with like-minded business people. Chamber Hub is a wellestablished, popular networking event which attracts a vast selection of local businesses.

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) WiseUp2 Date: Thursday 25th April Time: 9:30am-12:30pm Venue: Centre For Leadership, GB MET, Broadwater Road, Worthing Price: Members £35+VAT | Non-members £75+VAT You will leave this session knowing how you can do the basics of SEO yourself to improve your website’s search ranking positions.

Networking breakfast with an update from Tim Loughton Date: Friday 26th April Time: 7:30am-9am Venue: The Windsor House Hotel, Worthing Price: Members £14+VAT | Non-members £18+VAT Tim Loughton will be joining us at this networking breakfast to give an update on Brexit and international trade.

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HISTORY LESSONS

By Maarten Hoffmann

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am sure we are all appalled by the horrendous knife crime epidemic sweeping the country. Particularly the recent young girl minding her own business on a park bench with no connection whatsoever to her attackers, who was then violently stabbed in the back multiple times for, what seems like, fun. This could have been your or my daughter innocently sitting in a park.

There are many things we can learn from history if we can just muzzle the wet liberal elite, such as special schools for such scumbags. In my day, we had Borstals or, ironically named, Approved Schools. These were pretty tough places that housed those who were expelled from mainstream school or hooligans, vandals and thugs under the age of 18.

A halfway house between school and

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prison, run by ex-police or soldiers, who ran a regime that was benevolent but tough, and taught the little scallywags the error of their ways and frightened the living daylights out of them, demonstrating that if they continued on this path, they would end up in jail - and it worked in the majority of cases.

I know from whence l speak. When my parents split up when l was 11, l was left with a full time working mother, no parental control and l went off the rails.

I would skip school, got in with a very bad crowd and got into lots of trouble.

My mother despaired and l was sent to an approved school, in this case, a merchant marine training centre based on a black and white 17th century galleon in Rochester, Kent, called the Arethusa.

The shock to my system was immense and l despised every second of it, cried myself to sleep every night and became determined that if l got out of that hellhole, l would never, ever get

“That is nearly 40,000 people being stabbed in the UK in a single year and a two thirds increase on the year before"

ANGER MANAGEMENT or convicted of carrying a knife.

The old days of hard knocks

into trouble again. And nor did l. I met boys in there that made me look like a Sunday school choir boy and they also felt the same way. They didn’t beat or terrorise us but it was a tough regime, with 4.30 mornings literally swabbing the decks, drills and lessons all day in the freezing cold with no quarter given for slackers, orders barked that had better be obeyed, dinner at 6pm and bed, in hammocks, and lights out at 7pm. Offenders spent a lot more time swabbing decks with ice covered buckets, missed food and were taken on 10 mile yomps with full packs.

abuse and, in extreme cases, suicide.

How about every single released soldier being automatically offered a job at a new range of Borstals? They would whip the little tykes into shape quick smart, whilst maintaining their selfpride that they were valued and doing something good for society. A win win.

Such institutions were abolished in the Criminal Justice Act of 1982, to be replaced with holiday camp style Youth Custody Schemes. Currently, 75% of young people released from YCS reoffend within 12 months of release. The reoffending rate for Borstals was less than 30%.

Something has to be done. In 2018, there were 39,818 knife crimes. That is nearly 40,000 people being stabbed in the UK in a single year and a two thirds increase on the year before. The NHS claim that injuries are getting more serious, the victims are getting younger every year, with an increasing number of girls involved. Only 18,556 of this number were caused in robberies meaning that the rest are revenge, gang involvement or just plain fun! Of this number, 286 died, the highest figure since 1948. In 2018, a further 21,381 people were cautioned, reprimanded

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Cressida Dick stated that tackling knife crime in the capital is her ‘priority’.

But with the shocking reduction in police budgets and their ability to stop & search removed, she is whistling in the wind. Our Brexit darling, Theresa May was the Home Secretary who removed these powers from police despite the rank and file coppers telling her time and time again that it was a disastrous move. In addition, there are 20,000 less police than there was in 2010 and, as Prime Minister, May stated that ‘ there is no direct correlation between the rise in knife crime and the fall in police numbers and budgets’. Does she actually believe this tripe or is she just trying to cover her arse from being identified as the person who caused this, literal, bloody mess?

“My mother despaired and l was sent to an approved school"

Professor David Wilson, a former prison governor and criminologist said: “It had to be tough so that they could feel some pride in what they achieved.

Pupils had to take part in sports, work hard and attend education classes.

Most of the officers act as the fathers that many of the kids never had.” I have to concur. My time there taught me to work hard, don’t complain, eat fast or lose it, behave, be polite and do what l was told, without hesitation. It taught me hard work, self-improvement and rigid discipline. I never got into trouble again after the age of 13.

We have an armed forces being depleted by the hour with thousands of well-trained soldiers being abandoned and left searching for menial jobs, often leading to abuse, alcoholism, drug

Build five new borstals around the country and shove every little oik that commits a serious crime in there, and just watch these numbers fall as the word gets out on the street of what awaits them if they continue.

If you have a better idea, l am all ears.

If not, lobby your MP before your child is randomly stabbed whilst buying sweets on a sunny Saturday morning and never returns home.

ANGER MANAGEMENT

The cushy prison life in 2019

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news BUSINESS SURVEY

SPORT FOOTBALL

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he 18th Robert Eaton Memorial Fund Challenge Match between Brighton fans and Crystal Palace fans takes place at Worthing FC’s Woodside Road ground on Friday April 26th, kickoff 7.45pm. Entrance is £5 per person, and £2 for under 16s (free if accompanied by an adult). This will be the first time Worthing has hosted this fixture, and the fixture has attracted former Albion and Palace players from down the years, including Ricky Marlowe, Peter Ward, Paul Rogers, Andy Johnson and many more besides.

RUNNING

The charity is named in honour of Robert Eaton, a Brighton & Hove Albion fan who died in the Twin Towers attack B raise E S in 2001. The fund was set up to money for children’s and youth sports projects across the world, and in this time, over £250,000 has been raised for good causes.

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aphne Belt from Littlehampton, 1 80 20/02/2019 16:23will be the who turns this year, oldest competitor running the 10km distance in the second Brighton Run2Music on Saturday May 11th.

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She is also currently a leading triathlete and has been a Triathlon World Champion nine times over a variety of standard, middle and long distances in her Sponsored

by Entries now open at www. age group. brightonrun2music.com.

CRICKET ussex Cricket has commissioned a local firm of architects to create a plan for the future of the 1st Central County Ground in Hove. Proposals detail replacing several buildings facing onto Eaton Road, including The Sussex Cricketer, with a new community bar and restaurant and approximately 40 high quality apartments, improving the main entrance to make it both more visible and more accessible.

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BoB-Brighton-2019DT-2-A4-CMYK.pdf

A new 5-star conference and event space is also proposed at the south west end, with much improved facilities and up to date club offices in the South Stand. At the north end, new and improved seating for spectators is proposed, supported with bars, new toilets and refreshment facilities. The existing hospitality rooms in the south east corner will be replaced with new seating stands.

BEST OF BRITISH

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ast month, ‘Rocket’ Ronnie O’Sullivan became the first player to compile 1,000 professional century breaks. With five World Championships, seven UK Championships and seven Masters titles, O’Sullivan has won more BBC events than any other player. Last season was O’Sullivan’s most prolific, seeing him compile 74 centuries en route to a record-equalling five ranking titles in one campaign. O’Sullivan also leads the way is maximum 147 breaks, in which as a professional he has 15, followed by the retired Stephen Hendry who has 11.

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n aid of Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, with headline sponsor Overline business communication solutions, Best of British events has announced that this year’s annual event With Special Guest Speaker, in Brighton will take place on Friday May 31st at The Grand Brighton, with guest speaker double Olympic Decathlon champion Daley Thompson CBE. To book your place at this hugely popular event contact info@bestofbritish. org.uk.

DALEY THOMPSON C

Double Olympic Decathlon Champ

CO-SPONSORED BY:

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★ THE PLATINUM PAUL (Dev Assist) ADDISON v PART 2 - ‘The Cricket Challenge’ 1-0 down after the first Platinum Challenge, Laurence goes head to head with Paul in round two hoping to level the series with a game of cricket!

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ast month, and following the success of the Platinum ‘Penny Farthing’ Challenge round one, or not, if you look at the fact that I lost and quite frankly made a *** of myself in the process, round two was a complete change, and knowing Paul didn’t like cricket, one I felt gave me an opportunity to level the series at 1-1!

But how can cricket be a challenge I hear you say, particularly as it’s a team game? Well, I happened to know that they have a bowling machine in the Aerotron Indoor School and I thought it was

probably available before the season gets underway, so now was as good a time as ever to have a go.

On venturing down to the 1st Central County Ground in Hove, we were greeted

by David Wainwright, the Indoor School Administrator who would be helping us through the next few hours. Upon discussion, it was agreed the challenge would be for myself and Paul Addison from Dev Assist to don the necessary padding including the obligatory helmet for the head AND ‘box’ to protect one’s nether regions (I brought my own, but Paul had to borrow his!) and face up to an over (six balls) at 55mph, followed by an over at 70mph. To put that into some sort of perspective to those cricket aficionados, David explained that the former would be like facing Moeen Ali and the latter like facing Jimmy Anderson!

The winner would be the one who was ‘out’ the least number of times.

Missed!

‘Jimmy Anderson’ and the increase in 15mph seem to make all the difference with Paul struggling to get his bat on anything and being out a further three times.

His total to beat? Minus four.

After we were both able to get in a few overs practice to get bat on ball, first up was Paul. Facing six deliveries from mechanical ‘Moeen Ali’, my confidence began to wane, as Paul not only had his eye in, he successfully attacked the first three balls and had there been a boundary I’ve no doubt he would have thrashed a few 4s and 6s. However, one full-length dead straight delivery clean bowled him, so after keeping his wicket intact for the remainder of the over, his score read ‘minus one’.

Hold the pose, hold the pose... click!

Into the second over from mechanical

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Yours truly entered the fray and I decided to play it safe. Now at this juncture, I must point out that despite not picking up a cricket bat for 30-odd years, I did used to bat at number nine at school. I was quite used to playing defensively to hang around as long as I could while my batting partner would hopefully score the runs. With this in mind I just thought “don’t do anything stupid and you’ve got this in the bag.” After the first few balls had been dispatched, when it became clear what my intentions were, it was noticeable a few people had started to

BUSINESS SURVEY SPORT | PLATINUM CHALLENGE

CHALLENGE ★

LAURENCE (Platinum) ELPHICK watch, and my defensive actions were increasingly greeted with boos! Never mind I thought, it’s all about the win. Six balls down and I wasn’t out once!

Onto the 70 mph over and I just had to make sure I wasn’t out more than three times to win. The first couple of deliveries whistled past my outside edge without me even seeing them, so for Paul to draw and take this to a tie break, that meant I had to be out each of the next four balls! First delivery, bowled! Minus one. The second delivery I was given out as caught behind by David after a slight nick. Minus two. The tension was increasing at an alarming rate, as was my heart rate, which wasn’t helped by David adjudging that because the ball struck my pad, much to my disgust, I was given out with the next ball, leg before wicket.

Minus three in three balls and it all came down to the last delivery.

This time I connected with a straight bat.

Victory was mine – just – by one point, but I’ll take that. Celebrating with my usual good grace, I sank to my knees and with my arms aloft shouting “yes ... yes … yes!”

But by this time, most people had gone home, back to work or really couldn’t give

“I kept wondering why the cricket ball was getting bigger and bigger.

Then it hit me” a damn. I suspect the latter, but it was only afterwards when it was decided the loser was to face four balls at 80mph that Paul admitted he’d had his eyes closed for quite a few deliveries and with that, he promptly legged it saying he had a very important appointment to attend!

I decided I’d step up (as the winner!) and face this myself. Long story short I missed the first three and the fourth one skittled my stumps in all directions. At 85-90mph this would have been akin to facing Sussex’s Jofra Archer!

So, it’s 1-1 in the Platinum Challenge and all to play for. Lined up for our next set of challenges, its archery, axe throwing, shooting, karting and abseiling down the British Airways i360. We can’t wait!

The Platinum Challenge – helping to raise funds for Rockinghorse. All donations very much appreciated at justgiving.com/ fundraising/ platinumchallenge10

I think we both appreciated what cricketers have to go through and hats off to Luke Wright & Co here at Sussex. Quite rightly, I’ve put my cricket career on hold!

Thank you to Sussex County Cricket Club and in particular, a big thank you to David for not aligning the bowling machine so that we had any bouncers aimed at our heads!

SCORE SCOREAFTER AFTERONE TWOEVENT: EVENTS: PAUL PAUL 1-01-1 LAURENCE LAURENCE

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SPORT | DISABILITY SPORT

Disability sports dinner at

Sussex County Cricket Club Location: 1st Central County Ground, Hove. Date: February 26th

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o-hosted by Rix & Kay Solicitors and the Sussex Cricket Foundation, the first ‘Disability Sports Dinner’ was held at Sussex Cricket Club with the aim that some of the county’s most influential people in sport get together to discuss what more can be done for disability sports across Sussex. Football, cricket, rugby, tennis, basketball and table tennis from across the county were represented as well as some key charities.

Opened by Jon Filby, the Chair of the Sussex Cricket foundation and followed by an introduction from Rix & Kay’s Chairman, Bruce Hayter, the attendees were treated to a delightful three-course dinner where the rules were simple; throughout each course there would be an open forum for discussion about three disability sport issues.

Social isolation was clarified as the reverse of social cohesion, where it’s important to look at what impact an individual’s disability has on them and how they can become more physically active. Interestingly, certain individuals with specific physical and mental impairments don’t always consider themselves to be disabled, and it was recognised that the significant factor was encouraging people with disabilities to make friends and develop/ increase their confidence through participation in sport. An example of how clubs already help was Crawley Rugby Football Club, who utilise their clubhouse outside of match days wherever possible, so much so that they have

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Rob Andrew

introduced ‘Social Sundays’.

When it came to the subject of inclusivity as a primary objective, various issues were highlighted, namely, how best to reach the carers, what impact could be made collectively to deliver the message to both the individual and their family, whilst being mindful that the individual is at the heart of everything to ensure they remain empowered.

Success can mean different things to different people, for example going to the shops can be just as rewarding as playing a game, whilst recognising achievements through awards is important to continue to develop an individual’s confidence.

Society can help drive the message forward that everyone is welcome and equally sporting brands could achieve more by how they market their brand showing disability sport is inclusive to all.

Bruce Hayter

Three key areas were highlighted to provide opportunities for collaboration; charity, public funding and the private sectors with commercial partnerships together with the link between spectating, playing and volunteering. Sport helps with the journey towards development and future employability and ideas were shared about how there could be an increased connection between the clubs so individuals may be able to experience other opportunities.

CEO of Sussex Cricket, Rob Andrew summed up that it was important how everyone can help towards improved health and wellbeing, both physically and mentally, and importantly, it’s being part of a journey and a group rather than simply winning and losing.

It is clear that sport is a powerful tool which can have a meaningful impact at all levels and over the three hours, we’d only scratched the surface of what more could be done.

I identified three key words to take away – confidence, community and collaboration. It’s just a question of what happens next and I look forward to sharing details of the second disability sports dinner soon.

BUSINESS SURVEY

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BUSINESS SURVEY SPORT | GOLF

Are more women playing golf now?

Inspired by Georgia Hall, the signs are looking good for increased female participation in the sport

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ngland Golf have said they want more women and girls playing golf, as on average, only 15% of club members across the UK are female, compared to some European nations, despite the fact the UK is home to an impressive 3,000 courses and clubs. In Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, female participation is more than double at 35%, 32% and 33% respectively.

Girls Golf Rocks with the Golf Foundation was set up aiming at 5-18 year -olds. Last year this took place in 26 counties across England, and during 2018 over 1,600 girls had reportedly got involved.

#WhyIGolf was also launched last year to coincide with the Women’s British Open, tasked with the aim of raising awareness about women and girls’ golf. It was supported across the UK, brought a host Across Sussex, a survey of some of of celebrities on board and our local clubs backed up this statisreached more than two and tic, with female membership varying a half million people on Twitbetween 10% and 20%. ter, generating over 12 million impressions culminating in HowDidiDo, Europe’s largest onGeorgia Hall’s wonderful win line golfing community has found a at the Women’s British Open. Her surge in participation of the game by two-shot victowomen and girls ry was her first in the UK since “The ratio of female the start of last golfers in golf clubs has win at tour level and only the year. It reports risen following several fifth for a Britthat the number ish woman at a of female club years of stagnation” major champimembers on its onship. Hall’s win at Royal Lytham & system has increased by nearly 17% St Anne’s ensured she was the first since the end of 2017. Moreover, fegolfer in history to win the Women’s male golfers now make up more than British Open, the Women’s Amateur 14% of the club members who regisChampionship and the Girls Amateur tered with HowDidiDo in 2018 – sugChampionship. gesting that the ratio of female golfers in golf clubs has risen following Hailing from Bournemouth, Georseveral years of stagnation. gia Hall turns 23 this month and for the girl named in honour of Sir Nick A few new initiatives happening Faldo’s Masters win in 1996, having across the country designed to help been born on the Friday of that vicencourage increased participation tory in the Georgia town of Augusta, from women such as ‘Get into Golf’ she will defend her title in August. reported in 2017 that 40% of people taking part in their activities were feBack in February, it was anmale.

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nounced that she will be an ambassador to The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A), the oldest and most prestigious golf club in the world to lend her support in inspiring more women, girls and families to take up the game of golf. The body is investing £80 million into women’s and mixed golf over the next ten years or so in an attempt to boost overall participation. As one of the world’s finest women’s golfers, Hall will undoubtedly raise the profile of the drive by the R&A to help grow the game.

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SPORT | CRICKET

DOUBLE DELIGHT For Sussex and England

Wyatt, Smith and Jordan star with bat and ball this Winter

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ast month saw England Women wrap up a Twenty20 3-0 series win in India with Sussex cricket’s Danielle Wyatt hitting an unbeaten 64 in the second match as England secured a five-wicket victory.

Wyatt’s Sussex teammate, Linsey Smith, playing in only her fourth international, was the most economical bowler, finishing with figures of 2-11 from her three overs restricting the hosts to 111 for 8.

England had earlier lost the one-day series in Mumbai 2-1, but thoroughly outclassed India in the shortest form of the game with the whitewash secured after a thrilling one- run win in the final match. Following the series in India, the tourists moved on to Sri Lanka for three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches.

England Women are of course coached by former Sussex coach Mark Robinson who, in some circles, has been touted as a potential replacement for men’s head coach Trevor Bayliss. Australian Bayliss will be leaving his role as head coach of the England men’s team at the end of the summer.

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But Robinson told BBC Sport “It’s something I’ve not contemplated, but I know I love what I do at the moment.

If there’s a chance to coach the men’s team, it would have to be something you’d consider.”

Speaking of the men’s team and following their disastrous Test series defeat in the Caribbean, England bounced back with a 3-0 series victory in the Twenty20 Internationals. The first match in St Lucia saw Jonny Bairstow hit a sparkling 68, his career-best T20I score, coming from 40 balls as England chased down their target of 161. Sussex’s Chris Jordan stood out with the ball with 2-16, including the crucial wicket of Chris Gayle and a stunning caughtand-bowled to remove Darren Bravo. This was followed up with the West Indies being dismissed for a meagre 45 in the second match, as Jordan delivered a stunning four wickets for six runs in only two overs!

The series victory was completed following an eight-wicket win in St Kitts as

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the hosts were skittled out for just 75, David Willey the stand out bowler after his career best 4-7, with Sussex player Jordan named the Player of the Series.

Talking of Sussex, opener Luke Wells has signed a contract extension at Hove having been an ever-present in the County Championship side last season. Left-hander Wells has spent his entire career with Sussex and in the winter, he was playing in Australia, scoring more than 1,000 runs for Casey-South Melbourne.

The domestic cricket season proper gets underway this month with a 4-day County Championship game against Leicestershire, followed by a trip up to Durham. April also sees the start of a very busy new 50-over competition as the Sharks take on Surrey on April 19 and Somerset on April 24 with trips to Kent, Middlesex and the Essex Eagles.

Tickets are now on sale at the 1st Central County Ground for England women v Australia on July 28th at www.sussexcricket.co.uk

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SPORT | RUGBY

Crawley RFC

more than just a rugby club

Many sports clubs offer lots of ways to be inclusive to all, so how are Crawley RFC working to help adults with learning disabilities?

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a Wii to play bowling and dance games.

Weather-permitting, there is also the opportunity to go outside and embark on nature walks and occasionally they have even brought in ponies for petting. The highlight of the year is often the Christmas party with festive jumpers, dancing and of course, pass the parcel.

rawley Rugby Football Club was founded in 1950 and played games at West Green Playing Fields up until 1993 when they moved to their current ground at Willoughby Fields. The men’s first XV currently compete in Sussex 1, in the ninth tier of the English rugby union system.

The Club’s facilities include four pitches, eight changing rooms, each with their own showers, a well-equipped weights room and a modern clean clubhouse. But like a lot of sports clubs, there is the question of what happens with the facilities away from match days?

Six years ago, Mark Rodwell decided to organise a get-together for adults with learning disabilities where he asked the now President, Patrick Constance to help. The idea was borne out of Mark’s eldest son having learning disabilities himself and he wanted to see if mixing would help. This was the start of what is now referred to as the ‘Sunday Socials’, where sessions are held at the clubhouse on Sunday afternoons every five to six weeks, and over 20 people regularly attend each time.

Crawley RFC decided to team up with Aldingbourne Trust which supports adults with learning disabilities to help them live independent lives, where the range of disabilities that attend includes Downs Syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and spina bifida, to name a few. The idea for those coming is to experience a different environment and join in on a range of activities that they would otherwise not be able to take part in.

Some of the activities include table tennis, darts, pool, board games, cards, music and dancing plus there is

The ‘Sunday Social’ has proved so successful, that one of the regulars said the meetings had improved his confidence so much that he had just secured his first-ever job, packing boxes for a company in Manor Royal. The club have also helped to secure positions with McDonalds and Greenaway Estate agents both of whom are proud club sponsors.

On Saturdays, two of the regular attendees now dress the first team pitch and run the scoreboard during the game.

Their initial payment involved running a coke and chocolate bar after the game, but they have now been put on the payroll which has served to increase their self-esteem – this all helps if they are seeking further employment.

Another example of how the group has helped is that one of the regulars who suffers from severe anxiety and who would not talk or interact with anyone now works behind the bar on the ‘Sunday Socials’.

Crawley RFC, a great example of how a club does more to be inclusive for all!

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SURVEY SPORTBUSINESS | GOLF ACADEMY

The worst day of golf beats the best day of work!

Sussex has a new state of the art golf coaching and custom fitting studio, where you can get 50% off! Just ask Ryan Fenwick

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he Ryan Fenwick Golf Academy, based at West Hove Golf Club, is proving to be the ‘go-to’ place for Golf Coaching and Equipment fitting. Located on the driving range, you will now find a brand-new state of the art golf coaching and custom fitting studio.

Open seven days a week, from 8am – 7pm, the Academy offers coaching for all abilities, from beginners to touring pros, where they use Trackman technology to help you understand your golf swing tendencies and recommend improvements.

They can also custom fit Callaway, Titleist, Srixon and Ping clubs to your specifications and help pin point the correct equipment for you.

Complete with fully-trained staff and a PGA golf professional, the West Hove Golf Shop attached to the academy is fully stocked with the latest under armour and Foot-joy clothing, along with shoes and the necessary consumables.

The Ryan Fenwick Golf Academy can boast that they coach the Sussex performance team, England Regional team and several tournament professionals from as far afield as South Africa and the USA! To book your session or to find out more, visit www.ryanfenwickgolf.com – use the code ‘Platinum19’ and get 50% off a custom fitting session, or for new clients get 50% off a 50-minute golf lesson.

And if you’re a novice at golf, then this month why not try a ‘Get into Golf’ session from only £29.00 which includes four lessons!

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SPORT | POLO BUSINESS SURVEY

SPORTING EXCELLENCE AND SUPERB HOSPITALITY AT

COWDRAY PARK Cowdray Park Polo Club offers the ultimate in luxury hospitality to entertain you and your guests

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or companies seeking a brilliant and possibly different experience for entertaining clients, consider polo at Cowdray Park. Internationally acclaimed as the home of British Polo, Cowdray Park Polo Club at Midhurst is the venue for the King Power Gold Cup for the British Open Polo Championship, where from late June through to late July there are stunning opportunities to enjoy a sport that is physical, high octane, and utterly thrilling.

The action is breathtakingly fast: here are international, professional sportsmen at the very height of their game competing on highly trained, athletic horses that could outrun many a racehorse – and you could be entertaining your guests at pitchside. It doesn’t come much more special than this.

Cowdray’s talented events team can create a memorable picnic lunch, a champagne afternoon tea, or on its biggest days – the Semi Finals and Final of the King Power Gold Cup for the British Open Polo Championship

– the ultimate in luxury hospitality packages in a bespoke marquee at pitchside. A talk from a polo expert can be included in any package, and even a polo lesson can be arranged.

Contact the Polo Office on 01730 813257 to discuss your 2019 corporate hospitality requirements alongside the King of Sports.

Outside of the tournament for the King Power Gold Cup, Cowdray is a superb destination for more relaxed entertaining or family visits. A social (non-playing) membership at just £185 per season entitles the member and a guest entry to over 400 matches between late April and late September. Members have the benefit of an exclusive Members’ enclosure at the famous Lawns grounds

at Midhurst and the clubhouse at the more intimate Ambersham complex.

There is dedicated parking for members at both grounds. There’s a full bar in operation as well as a range of food options at weekends but during the period of the Gold Cup, the clubhouse facilities are open daily. You can also bring a picnic to enjoy at the side of the pitch in our stunning surroundings.

Social events during the season, and an exclusive Members enclosure at pitchside at polo’s hottest event – the Final of the King Power Gold Cup, with upwards of 12,000 spectators – are included in your Membership.

Reciprocal dates with other local sporting events including horseracing at Goodwood, Sussex Cricket and Showjumping at Hickstead are included in the members’ privileges.

And not forgetting reduced green fees at Cowdray Golf!

The club won Visitor Attraction of the Year in the Celebration of Sussex Life awards in 2018. Isn’t it time you discovered what polo at Cowdray has to offer?

Visit www.cowdraypolo.co.uk.

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SPORT | MOTOR SPORT

Rea-ning world champion T

he definition of the Superbike World Championship is that it’s a motorsport road racing series for modified production motorcycles also known as superbike racing. The motorcycles that race in the championship are tuned versions of motorcycles available for sale to the public, by contrast with MotoGP where purpose-built machines are used. MotoGP is the motorcycle world’s equivalent of Formula One, whereas Superbike racing is akin to touring car racing. From 1993 to 1999 Carl Fogarty and Ducati dominated, where Fogarty won the title a record four times and finished as runner-up twice.

number of race wins in the Superbike World Championship (71).

Jonathan Rea, MBE born February 2nd 1987 from Northern Ireland is the current World Champion having won the Championship four years in a row, becoming the first man to achieve this feat. He also holds the highest

He was named Irish Motorcyclist of the Year in 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2016 and was runner-up for the 2017 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.

On June 9th 2018, Rea won the first race at Brno to take his 60th career

Rea began his career in motocross and moved to tarmac in 2003 where, after impressing in the British Superbike Championship, he moved up onto the world stage in 2008, finishing as the World Supersport runner-up.

Continuing his journey through the World Superbike series with Honda, where he secured 15 victories from 2009 to 2014, Rea then moved to the Kawasaki Racing Team for 2015, where the Northern Ireland rider has become the man to beat, taking 56 victories over four seasons.

shutterstock.com

Jonathan Rea MBE has dominated the World of Superbikes recently so will 2019 be any different?

win and surpass the record of Carl Fogarty.

In 292 races, he’s had a podium finish in 156 of them, winning 79. Rea was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to motorcycle racing.

Becoming the first rider in history to take four back-to-back World Titles, the 31-year-old has his sights set on breaking even more records in 2019.

However, the first race of the new season at Philip Island in Australia saw a superb performance from Alvaro Bautista on his Ducati, with the 34-yearold winning Race One and Two by more than 12 seconds to spare in both. A disgruntled Jonathan Rea made it clear that he wasn’t a fan of not winning, as the four-time champion said that his team took a “knife to a gunfight”.

This month sees racing feature in Spain from April 5th-7th, moving onto Holland from April 12th-14th with Round Five taking place in Italy from May 10th-12th.

shutterstock.com

It might be early days in the season with a lot of racing still to go, but expect fireworks as the World Champion won’t give up his crown easily.

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BUSINESS SURVEY SPORT | ACTIVE SUSSEX

Active partnerships Active Sussex is delighted to announce it is now part of ‘Active Partnerships’, after the recent rebranding of the County Sports Partnerships Network (CSPN).

By Ruth Dacey, PR & Communications Officer, Active Sussex

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unded by Sport England, Active Sussex is one of 43 Active Partnerships across England. We work collaboratively to create the conditions for an active nation and use the power of sport and physical activity to transform lives.

Active Sussex Network

Behaviour change expert Professor Jim McKenna sparked debate and enthused attendees at the recent networking event.

The Professor of Physical Activity and Health at Leeds Beckett University, charismatically delivered his keynote speech - ‘Simplexity of Sport and Physical Activity’ to over 70 delegates, from organisations and local partners that deliver sport and physical activity across Sussex. Jim’s inspiring presentation included how to engage inactive and hard to reach audiences.

McKenna, an award winning teacher and researcher, said: “What’s really important about events like this is they are so beneficial because we can share ideas and everyone can pick up new ways of thinking about things they are already familiar or perhaps completely new.

The bi-annual networking event also featured a Q&A panel debate on the subject of ‘Whole System Approaches to Engaging Inactive Audiences,’ and round table examples and discussions of best practice examples of engaging priority audiences. Plus the galvanising workshop – Inactive to Active - The

Journey was led by Henry McLaughlin, Active Sussex’s Insight Officer.

The provisional date for the Active Sussex Conference and AGM is Thursday September 19th 2019.

Funding secured for workforce

Active Sussex has been awarded a further £80,000 grant investment from Sport England to continue developing a workforce infrastructure to tackle physical inactivity in Sussex.

A video entitled ‘A Workforce for an Active Nation: Rye Runners’ is available online at www.youtube.com/user/ ActiveSussex For further Workforce information please contact Anthony Statham, Active Sussex’s Strategic Relationship Manager and Workforce lead, E: astatham@activesussex.org.

Plans are in place to use this funding to target wards in Hastings, Wealden, Eastbourne and Lewes, building on from our insightful and successful workforce pilot in Rother over the past year.

The tools used to build the workforce needed to engage inactive people can be adopted by all local authorities, and Active Sussex are keen to support partners across Sussex to implement these methods.

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SPORT | WHEN BUSINESS MEETS SPORT

WHY I

LOVE

TAEKWONDO

Victoria Mason FCCA, Partner, Cardens Accountants dons her 2nd degree black belt – just for kicks... with this as I don’t want to get hurt, but I love the game of trying to score a point. If done correctly the aim is to not hurt but to make enough contact for a referee to score you a point.

Self-defence: this can be very technical as it is effortless when performed correctly.

I

grew up loving martial art films where Jackie Chan was my favourite. He was so fast and always did it with a smile on his face.

When my first child was born, I saw an advert for a local karate club, and decided I was going to enrol my daughter to do that. I then thought to myself why live my dreams through my children and just get on with it myself.

A friend told me that taekwondo was about the legs and because I’d been a regular basketball player, I liked the idea because I felt the strength in my legs would massively help.

There are several parts to taekwondo: Patterns: these are a set of moves for each belt and I love learning these as it is something you can practice anywhere. If done properly, they are a full workout.

Sparring: I have always struggled

Fitness: it goes without saying that we do a lot of press ups, but we also play games like ‘stick in the mud’ or ‘bulldog’ which is hilarious as an adult.

The club I’m part of has become a second family. The spirit of the art is to pass on your knowledge, so you always want to help each other to become better. There is a great team spirit, and everyone turns up each week. My daughter began learning when she was five and if she needs help, I’m always comforted knowing that any of the students will always be there to help her.

Taekwondo is also for any age or fitness and due to all the different aspects, there is usually something for everyone.

Cardens Accountants LLP, The Old Casino, 28 Fourth Avenue, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2PJ 01273 739592 victoria@cardens4u.co.uk

Q&A WHAT IS THE MAIN BENEFIT FOR YOU? It keeps me physically strong and gives me confidence that I know how to protect myself.

WHAT BELT DO YOU CURRENTLY HOLD? I’m a 2nd degree black belt!

HAVE YOU EVER COMPETED IN TOURNAMENTS AND IF SO, WHAT WAS YOUR BEST RESULT/ PERFORMANCE? As part of your training and progression to the next belt, you must attend a certain number of competitions in a year. I won the English and Welsh titles for point stop sparring.

WHAT LEVEL OF TRAINING HAVE YOU UNDERGONE TO REACH THIS LEVEL? If you reach every milestone then it takes a minimum of four and a half years to go from white belt to 1st degree black belt. You must then complete an additional minimum of two years to 2nd degree then a further three years for 3rd degree and so on. Training is usually twice a week with six extra sessions per year.

HAVE YOU EVER NEEDED TO USE SELFDEFENCE DEFENCE SKILLS IN PUBLIC? No thank goodness, but I did used to worry that I might hit someone I know if they pretended to jump out on me as a joke and I reacted too quickly!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MOVE? I love a good surprising twisting kick or a hand strike to the neck.

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The Boundary Club is Sussex Cricket's own unique networking club, where business meets cricket, hosted right on the boundary's edge.

We aim to bring like-minded businesses together for informal networking, a quality three course lunch and guest speaker with a backdrop of first class cricket.

Boundary Club Membership includes invitations to nine events, the majority of which coincide with first-class Sussex CCC fixtures.

Boundary Club PLUS Membership also includes 2 Executive Passes which allows admission to the SO Legal Executive Suite for all of our home group games in the 2019 season, including the exciting T20 Vitality Blast group matches at The 1st Central County Ground, Hove.

We have a range of speakers throughout the season, from the world of business and entertainment, which can be seen below: Wednesday 27 March

Tuesday 20 August

Head Coach Jason Gillespie & Sussex Playing Squad

BBC News Presenter John Young

Wednesday 24 April Economist Marcus Wright

Wednesday 29 May Comedian Jim Tavare

Wednesday 26 June

Monday 23 September Double European Cup Winning Captain John McGovern

Thursday 24 October Double Amputee & lnvictus Games Athlete Murray Hambro

Comedian Simon Evans

Wednesday 11 December

Wednesday 24 July

Boundary Club Christmas Party

Welsh Tenor, Radio Presenter & The Go Compare Man Wynne Evans

For more information or to become a member in 2019, call 0844 264 0201 or email theboundaryclub@sussexcricket.co.uk

We think it’s the best networking event in the county and we’d love to show you why.

SPORT | WHEN BUSINESS MEETS SPORT

WHY I

LOVE

(SEA) SWIMMING With James Johnson, founder of multi award winning video production company, Picture Book Films the world and no chlorine. And it’s free!

Despite the cold water of the English Channel, It makes me feel great! It’s like a massive adrenaline shot in the morning and I can feel it kick-starting my system. But it’s still hard getting into the sea when it’s freezing cold. In winter it’s bloody awful when you first go in.

W

ild Sea Swimming is basically what it says on the tin – stripping off, putting on a wet suit, (if you feel the cold like me) and heading into the sea for a teethchattering swim. I try to do it on a regular basis and all year round (brrrr).

I used to do a lot of swimming in lanes in pools, but at 6’5” I was constantly hitting other people and being tutted at! This way you don’t have to wait in line or watch out for other people.

It’s a very different experience from swimming in a pool, for a start it’s normally a lot colder. Also, you have less visibility, it’s often a lot rougher, and there’s no lifeguard. But on the positive side, you have all the room in

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I’m often asked how easy is it to become disorientated when you can’t see the bottom? Quite simply, I never go out in rough weather and don’t go too far from the shore. As long as you keep looking around regularly, you’re fine.

If you feel brave enough to try it and I haven’t put you off, just make sure you know the area you’re planning to go swimming in and that you know what the tides are doing as well as any potential hazards of course. Plus, you should always let someone know where you are going and when you’ll be back… but most of all make sure you enjoy it!!

Picture Book Films, Studio 274, 91 Western Road, Brighton BN1 2NW 01273 921 290 brighton@picturebookfilms.co.uk

Q&A HOW ELSE DO YOU SPEND YOUR TIME? Training and call outs as a member of the crew at Newhaven lifeboats takes up a lot of my time, plus there’s my family, which doesn’t leave room for much else!

YOU RUN A FILM PRODUCTION COMPANY, WHICH SPORTING STAR WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO FILM? Good question! We’re doing some filming at the AMEX soon and interviewing Tony Bloom - I think Chris Hughton would be pretty fascinating to sit down with and have a chat with too!

WHICH SPORTING EVENT WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO FILM? We film the Brighton Marathon every year and it’s great fun.

I’d love to film the F1 or International Rugby.

WHO’S YOUR FAVOURITE SPORTING HERO AND WHY? Jonah Lomu was an absolute legend and one of a kind. 40 is no age either.

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