Platinum Business Magazine - issue 59 by Platinum Media Group

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ISSUE 59. MAY 2019

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questions private equity investors ask The mental health mineямБeld

Time for a career break?

THE ONE MINUTE MANAGER

Ken Blanchard

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

CONTENTS 9 16 18 23 24 26 28 30 32 33 36 40 42 44 45 46 48 50 52 53 54 56 58 60 64 65 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 84 88 90 92 94 96 99 100 103 105 107 108 110 111 112 113 114

Local and national News Output stagnation NatWest THE BIG STORY: Ken Blanchard Reasons to be cheerful EMC Workplace investigations DMH Stallard Five questions... Kreston Reeves Tax awareness tips Carpenter Box Career breaks Rix & Kay Employee engagement Sherrards Operation Mud Chestnut Tree House Strategies for the future Coast2Capital Health & Wellbeing Stats Managing the mental health minefield ViiSana Stand desks Sit-Stand.com Be the change – great culture starts early Investing in seating Posturite Health & Wellbeing News Phileas Fogg World of Adventures – reviewed Failing to adapt IoD

KEN BLANCHARD

Brighton Summit A route to success SINC West Sussex Expo Net XP Movers & Shakers Harvey John FOCUS ON: Crawley Gate expectations Frontier Pitts Gatwick property Vail Williams Broken to brilliant Bridgeham Clinic A fresh new start Fast Signs The state of the car leasing market Harwoods New co-working hub in Crawley Freedom Works Manor Royal – strength in numbers A sound approach Avensys The people’s pension B&CE Shake Hands in... Austin, Texas Travel News Motoring: Jaguar E-Pace Motoring: Mercedes C300 Chambers of Commerce listings Anger Management

FOCUS ON: CRAWLEY

SHAKE HANDS IN AUSTIN, TEXAS

Sport News The Platinum Challenge Cowdray Park Golf: The return of Tiger Woods Sussex rugby round-up Football: Russell Martin Academy Motor Sport: Goodwood Festival of Speed Active Sussex Cricket: T20 in focus Boundary Club Ryan Fenwick golf Academy

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WELCOME

Welcome W

elcome to the May issue of Platinum. Our cover story is Ken Blanchard, the American leadership expert whose book, The One Minute Manager, has sold over 15 million copies worldwide, and he offers a fascinating interview with Ian. Kathryn Paisley of Rix & Kay looks at the pros and cons of taking a career break, Jack Clipsham of Kreston Reeves shares the top five questions that private equity investors will ask if you are looking for funding, and Rachel Pearce of MHA Carpenter Box shares tax tips for property investors. The Chairman of Coast to Capital LEP, Tim Wates announces the news that they are seeking a new Vice Chair to steer the LEP into the next decade, and the CEO of EMC Corporate Finance, Nik Askaroff writes about the reasons to be cheerful. Our new Movers & Shakers feature, sponsored by leading recruitment firm Harvey John, is the place to see who’s moving where and we present a major feature on the regeneration of Crawley – a place that will be unrecognisable in just a few years from now with remarkable growth.

get out of the way of women – or get run over. Laurence is trying his best but is currently trailing Paul Addison of Devassist 3-1 in the Platinum Challenge. Competitive knitting is next – so he’s in with a chance! This is a very short selection of what you will find in this packed issue - the largest circulation regional business magazine in the UK.

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And while you’re here... Not only do we have the largest number of print readers on planet Earth but you can also join our 468,000 online readers. If you can’t wait for the next issue then jump onto our social media platforms and join the conversation. @platbusmag

Maarten has been charging around in the new Jaguar E-Pace and the all-new Mercedes C-Class convertible and in his Anger Management column (known locally as the Grumpy Old Git column), he states firmly that men need to

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Sussex

news

Take the paddle-board challenge

he challenge is on! Can you beat the highly-skilled, finely-tuned team from Platinum? We are looking for teams of four to compete in a fun and friendly Paddle-Boarding tournament - and help raise some money for Sussex charities, Lifecentre and Heart. Organised by adventurer and team building expert, Neil Laughton, the tournament takes place on a beautiful private lake in West Sussex on Saturday June 15th. The cost for a team of four is only £120 inc all equipment and pre-race tuition and spectators are welcome so bring the family or the office team to cheer you on.

Cleankill shines at PestEx

leankill Pest Control was named ‘Company of the Year’ at the 2019 British Pest Management Awards (BPMAs). At the same event, Cleankill’s Managing Director, Paul Bates, was Highly Commended in the ‘Unsung Hero’ category. Organised by the British Pest Control Association, the BPMAs celebrate individuals and companies that demonstrate exemplary performance and help portray the pest management industry in a positive light. The awards were presented at PestEx 2019, held at ExCel London on 20th and 21st March. The presentation took place on the first evening, with ceremonial duties being performed by ‘One Show’ regular and ecologist, Mike Dilger.

An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea BUSINESS WISDOM

Green jobs growth

There will be plenty of food and drink available, the weather will be fantastic and you will laugh all day long. To sign up, email neil@laughton.co, and the event will be covered in full in this magazine with a great focus on the winning team. You’ve got to be in it to win it and all money raised goes to the charities. Don’t worry, none of us can paddle board either, hence the laughing.

If all the economists were laid end to end, they’d never reach a conclusion BUSINESS WISDOM

ore than 300 jobs have been created and 70 new products launched with support from University of Brighton’s Green Growth Platform. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), said in the 2019 report that the Platform had “met or exceeded” all of its objectives, set out when it was launched in 2014. Zoë Osmond, Director of Green Growth Platform, said: “Since launch in 2014 we have seen over 1,000 green-focused companies join our network, with more than a quarter of these taking up our intensive innovation, business support or skills services.”

A Level student’s business win

illiam Venner, a student from Collyers College, Horsham is the 2019 South East winner of Young Start-up Talent. William, the youngest contestant at aged just 17, started his business GMod Admin Suite at just 14 and has continued to grow the business to 800 customers in over 100 countries. GMod Admin Suite is an online administrative gaming software business that William has developed through a well-known video game called Garry’s Mod. William said, “I have learnt so much through the process and look forward to working with the YST team, judges and sponsors to help grow

my business.” Dave Kickham, Operations Director of Thales UK said; “It was good to see a diverse range of businesses this year – ranging from technology to clothing to cosmetics and well-being.” Young Start-up Talent, now in its ninth year, is an entrepreneurial initiative aimed at 16 to 25 year olds. The final was held at Thales in Manor Royal, Crawley in April.

Sussex

news

Rough sleeping for charity

Leonardslee is back

CEO Spring Sleepout raised over £9,000 for four Brighton & Hove charities: Off The Fence, Grace Eyre, Martlets and Rockinghorse. The participants, including the Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Cllr Dee Simpson, experienced how noisy it is to be on the sea front with people coming and going from nightclubs, fights

and seagulls waking them at 3am. The event started with a flight in the i360 and a bedtime story by Peter James, reading the first chapter of his latest book. Everyone survived the night and was rewarded with bacon butties from Buddies first thing in the morning.

Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes BUSINESS WISDOM

Mike’s SINC farewell

fter 22 years at Sussex Innovation, Mike Herd has decided that he will leave the organisation this month. Mike joined as the first Executive Director of the Centre in February 1997 and during his tenure, Sussex Innovation has provided support for well over 1000 early-stage businesses and entrepreneurs. More than £175 million has been raised by Sussex Innovation members in equity investments and grants. Good luck in your future ventures, Mike.

escribed as ‘the finest woodland gardens in England’, Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens has opened following two years’ extensive work on the Grade 1 Listed gardens and on site facilities under new owner Penny Streeter OBE. It is one of the largest UK garden restoration projects for nearly 30 years.

Work included extensive rebuilding of 10 miles of collapsed pathways and cataloguing 10,000 trees, carrying out tree surgery where necessary. Closed to the public since 2010, the 240 acre estate has attracted major public interest to see once again the outstanding displays of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, magnolias and bluebells, collected from all over the world from the early 1800s. The Grade II listed 19th-century Italianate style mansion has been restored and updated and open for classic afternoon tea. There is also a multi-course tasting menu at Restaurant Interlude, with produce that is foraged, raised and produced on the estate and selected local farms. Visit www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk

China link up

reston Reeves has joined the China-Britain Business Council, which helps British and Chinese companies and organisations work together to grow and develop their businesses. Its 1,000-strong membership includes some of the UK’s largest and most established companies, dynamic and innovative SMEs, together

with leading Chinese companies. Corporate Finance Partner, Jack Clipsham, said, “Despite recently imposed government controls over China outbound investment, there are still significant opportunities for Chinese businesses to investment in the UK and Europe.

Beware of false knowledge: it is more dangerous than ignorance BUSINESS WISDOM

Penny Streeter OBE

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national UK loses appeal

esearch from global jobs site Monster.co.uk shows the number of workers from the EU actively searching for jobs in the UK has dropped by 12.6% year on year. The research also shows that in the past three years searches have decreased by nearly a third (31%), show-

news BUSINESS SURVEY

Democracy means simply the bludgeoning of the people, by the people, for the people

ing the impact Brexit is having on attracting foreign talent to the UK. The top five EU countries that have seen the biggest decrease in interest in searching for UK jobs are Romania with a 53.4% drop, Portugal (48.3%), Italy (45.9%), Denmark (42.9%), and Greece (41.7%).

BUSINESS WISDOM

Bye Bye Boris

oris Johnson could be at risk of losing his seat due to a surge in younger voters, research has revealed. The former foreign secretary’s seat in Uxbridge and South Ruislip has been listed as ‘vulnerable’ in the 2022 election by

Onward think tank. The analysis shows that Johnson would likely lose if the ratio of younger residents (aged 20-39) is greater than that of older voters (aged 60+), which is currently the case in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat.

Dream big

irect Line for Business has recently revealed that 5.3 million Brits dream of becoming their own boss. This is in addition to the 8.6 million (16%) who currently freelance and are either full time, self-employed or carry out contract work alongside their main jobs. The standard length of time people

take to prepare setting up on their own is eight months and they aim to save £16,000 to give their business the best start – the equivalent of 70% of the annual salary in the UK. Overall, 71% of self-employed workers saved up money before going freelance, leaving 29% who admitted that they had nothing saved before starting their business.

Mouse flix

isney has finally announced its long-anticipated streaming service, but it won’t be available until November in North America - and in some markets, it will take much longer. When it does eventually launch, however, Disney+ will be a streaming giant - the service will bundle together some of the firm’s major franchises, including the work of Pixar, Marvel, National Geographic and Star Wars, for a monthly subscription price of $6.99, or $69.99 a year. The company already has a streaming service in the UK called Disney Life, however, it has not announced whether this service will close when Disney+ arrives.

Richie Rich

ir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group will have taken at least £306m in dividends from Virgin Trains by the time the firm’s 22-year tenure as a rail operator comes to an end within the next 12 months. Branson’s Virgin Group owns 51% of the venture, giving him a £306m share of the overall dividend pot, which stands at £600m. The remaining £294m

was allocated to its joint venture partner, Stagecoach transport group. However, Branson said last month that the Virgin name could disappear from trains by November, after Stagecoach was blocked from three franchises by the Department for Transport over its refusal to pay more into rail staff pensions.

Success and failure are both difﬁcult to endure. Along with success come drugs, divorce, fornication, bullying, travel, meditation, medication, depression, neurosis and suicide. With failure comes failure BUSINESS WISDOM

Elton John TRIBUTE NIGHT

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national

news

Middle Class v Millennials

illennials in advanced economies around the world are being squeezed out of the ranks of the middle class, including in Britain, as pay growth stalls and house prices skyrocket, according to the OECD.

influence weakened. The research suggests that younger generations are increasingly being denied similar opportunities to their parents.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said that for every generation since the baby boom of the 1940s, across 40 major countries, the middle-income group had shrunk and its economic

Guilt Trip

n order to stop spending and instead encourage saving, financial technology companies such as Wagestream, which allows workers to extract pay and save directly from their wages before payday, are trying out the use of ‘reward and guilt’. It allows users to load an image of

For the last couple of years, the UK has saved about 4% of disposable income. In the 1990s, it came close to 15%; the concern for many being that the UK has lost its savings habit.

It’s me AND the dog

ustody over pets is increasingly figuring in divorce proceedings with one in 20 pet-owning couples now reportedly have a ‘pet-nup’ detailing everything from contact time to grooming parlours. According to a survey published by Direct Line Pet Insurance, around a quarter of divorces in the UK this past year involved a pet custody dispute, and in several cases, pet custody concerns were more of an issue than disputes over children or

A cynic is a person who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing

their savings goal onto the app, such as a car or a holiday destination and the more they save, the clearer the image becomes, however, if they withdraw money, the picture starts to disappear.

property. The survey, which included 2,000 pet owners and over 100 lawyers, found that divorce lawyers in cases involving pets spend an average of 25 hours of billable time on that single issue alone.

Ridicule is the tribute paid to genius by the mediocrities BUSINESS WISDOM

BUSINESS WISDOM

Five and Drive

obile phone network O2 will activate its 5G network next month for the testing of driverless cars in Bedfordshire. The network has partnered with the Millbrook proving ground – a key test track for companies testing autonomous vehicles. Businesses testing driverless cars will be able to test O2’s 5G network on the proving ground by using it to send telemetry data and high definition videos taken by the cameras fitted to the cars. An earlier test carried out at the start of this year saw a McLaren sports car transmit high definition video whilst driving at 160 mph around the test track. The testing of the 5G network for driverless cars comes ahead of O2’s planned launch of its full 5G network in London, Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh later this year.

Guinness goes green

he company that makes the Irish stout Guinness has announced it is removing plastic from all its beer packaging. Plastic ring carriers and shrink wrap will be removed from multipacks of all Diageo’s beer products – which include Guinness, Harp, Rock-

shore and Smithwick’s. Instead the company will now use cardboard that is 100% recyclable and biodegradable. Diageo says that this change will reduce plastic usage by over 400 tonnes annually – currently under 5% of its total packaging is made from plastic.

South East private sector

output stagnates in March Growth grinds to a halt

rivate sector growth in the South East ground to a halt in March, according to the latest NatWest PMI® data. Both total output and new business were broadly flat over the month. Moreover, the level of outstanding business was depleted at a faster pace. More positively, private sector firms expanded workforces at the fastest rate in ten months, and cost pressures were the weakest since July 2016. 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 – dropped to 50.0 in March, from February’s three-month high of 52.3. The latest figure signalled no change in overall output, ending a 31-sequence of growth. This matched the trend shown across the UK private sector as a whole. Sector data indicated that the stagnation in overall output levels was driven by the service sector, as manufacturing production increased. The volume of incoming new work received by private sector companies

in the South East was broadly unchanged in March compared with one month previously. Stagnant inflows of new business were observed in both the manufacturing and services sectors. The South East fared better than the UK as a whole, however, where an outright contraction in new business was signalled. With receipts of new work broadly flat in March, companies further depleted their levels of incomplete business. Backlogs declined for the sixth month running, and at the fastest rate since July 2016. Despite the current weakness of demand, companies expanded their workforces in March. Private sector employment in the South East rose for the first time in 2019 so far, and at the fastest rate since May 2018. Moreover, among the 12 UK regions monitored, only the West Midlands and North

Key Findings • Total business activity unchanged since February • New order intakes stagnate • Input price inflation at 32-month low West registered faster rates of private sector job creation than the South East in the latest period. The rate of input price inflation slowed for the sixth consecutive month in March, to the weakest since July 2016. This took it slightly below the UK average for the first time in five months. That said, it remained above the long-run series average (since 1997). Consequently, companies continued to raise their own prices for goods and services, albeit to the weakest extent in 2019 so far. Firms’ expectations for output over the next 12 months remained positive in March, despite the stagnation in output during the month. That said, the Future Output Index was the fifth-lowest on record, as Brexit uncertainty continued to undermine confidence.

“Stagnant inflows of new business were observed in both the manufacturing and services sectors”

MI ®

BUSINESS SURVEY

Export Climate Index South East Export Climate Index

52.6

Slight improvement in South East's export markets but growth remains subdued

Note: Note: Export Export markets markets are are defined defined as asnon-UK. non-UK

Export Climate Index sa, >50 = improving export climate since previous month

MARCH

The South East Export Climate Index is improvement in SouthEast’s calculatedSlight by weighting together national PMI export markets growth remainsto output data according tobut their importance subdued the manufacturing exports of the South East. This produces an indicator for the economic The South East Export Climate Index health of the region's export markets. is calculated by weighting together

50 40 30 '00

national PMI output data according to The Export Climate Index was little-changed their importance to the manufacturing at 52.6 in March, from 52.7 in February. This exports of the South East. This producsignalled aesmoderate in health output at an indicatorimprovement for the economic the region's export markets. the South of East's main export markets, with the

'02

'04

'06

'08

'10

'12

'14

'16

'18

Top export markets, South East Rank

index among the lowest levels registered since The Export Climate Index was litthe second half of 2013. tle-changed at 52.6 in March, from 52.7 in February. a moderate Output growth in theThis US –signalled the largest market improvement in output at the South for the South East – was solid, but eased East's main export markets, with the insince February. Growth in Germany was the dex among the lowest levels registered weakest insince nearly six years, while French the second half of 2013. output declined for third time in four months.

Market

Weight

Output Index, Mar-19

USA

16.1%

54.3*

Germany

10.6%

51.4

Netherlands

6.8%

Top export East 3 France markets, South 6.8% Rank 5

Market Ireland

5.3% Weight

USA

16.1%

54.3*

Germany

10.6%

51.4

France

6.8%

48.9

Netherlands

6.8%

53.8

Ireland

5.3%

54.1

*Flash estimate published 22 March.

Output growth in the US – the largest market for the South East – was solid, but eased since February. Growth in Germany was the weakest in nearly six years, while French output declined for third time in four months.

48.9 53.8 Index Output March 54.1 2019

*Flash estimate published 22 March

Industry Specialisation Comment

Methodology The NatWest South East PMI® is compiled by LQs) are useful measures of regional sector. An LQ greater than 1.0 indicates that the sector has a IHS Markit from respongreater economic footprint in the region than it does for the UK on and offer a means to identify industry ses to questionnaires l. They are ratios derived by comparing as a whole. sent to South East put (or gross“February’s value added) in regions with that partirebound in growth in the South The East private tables below rank the location quotientscompanies for the South East, utput in the same cipate in IHS Markit’s sector sector. proved short-lived as output stalled in March. broken down by manufacturing and services sub-sectors. The UK manufacturing and Over the fi rst quarter as a whole, the sector had its facturing and service sectors in isolation, UK Output Index for each sub-sector is also displayed. services PMI surveys. period since the third quarter of 2016. Moreover, alculated byworst taking a sector’s proportion the trend in new business over the first three months of comparing it with the UK-wide share of 2019 was the weakest since Q2 2009.

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

An LQ of 1.0 in a sector means that the a whole are“The equally specialised in from that the latest survey is employment indicator

more positive, signalling renewed job creation in the

isation: South East Services specialisation: South East private sector and at the fastest pace since May 2018.

But this hiring UK momentum is unlikely to be sustained Stuart Johnstone Output Index, if newLQbusinessMar-19 growth(3mma) fails to recover in the second Rank Sector quarter. The forward-looking output expectations index remains at a historically low 1 Computing & IT Services 2.20 level, with weak confidence clearly linked to the ongoing uncertainty around Brexit.”

LQ 1.65

1.16

Transport & Communication Services

1.12

1.15

Business-to-business Services

1.05

Plastics

1.12

Hotels, Restaurants & Catering

0.94

1.01

Other personal/consumer Services

0.93

Financial Intermediation

0.63

0.65

UK Business Activity Index, Mar-19 (3mma)

THE BIG STORY

SPENDING MORE THAN A MINUTE WITH

KEN BLANCHARD With over 15 million copies sold, The One Minute Manager® is one of the most widely read business books ever published. Since its release, leadership expert Ken Blanchard has coauthored more than 65 other books with combined sales of over 23 million copies in 47 languages

erhaps it was its brevity. Maybe it was its simple message. Whatever the magic ingredient, The One Minute Manager was a breath of fresh air when it was first published in 1982 – a welcome alternative to weighty tomes on management techniques. Updated in 2015 as The New One Minute Manager®, the book still appears on bestseller lists and leaders at every level continue to sing its praises.

and One Minute Re-Directs (formerly One Minute Reprimands). The manager is interested in people and results— so both the people and the organisation benefit from his management. Despite the book’s simplicity, its management philosophies had been honed along Blanchard’s journey from tenured professorship at University of Massachusetts to the cofounding in 1979

leadership development programmes are designed to transform not just manager and employee relationships but entire organisations. With both faceto-face and virtual training sessions, self-paced elearning modules, coaching, keynotes, and public workshops, The Ken Blanchard Companies offers proven solutions for the most critical challenges facing today’s workplaces. Blanchard and his wife, Margie, set three simple goals when they founded the company: to make a difference in people’s lives, to drive human worth and effectiveness in the workplace, and to help each organisation they work with become the provider, employer, and investment of choice. Those goals are still in place today.

“Great companies treat their people as their number one customer. If you empower your people, train them, and love them, they will take care of the second most important customer – the folks who use your products and services”

The One Minute Manager, coauthored by Spencer Johnson, centres on a young man who is in search of an effective manager – someone who can inspire him and get results. To the young man, most managers seem to be autocratic (poor personal skills, only care about results) or democratic (great with people, poor with results). Then the young man meets The One Minute Manager, who uses a simple but effective method comprising Three Secrets: One Minute Goals, One Minute Praisings,

of The Ken Blanchard Companies®, a globally recognised leadership training and development organisation. Blanchard holds the position of Chief Spiritual Officer and maintains an active work and travel schedule with the organisation, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Its innovative

Platinum Business Magazine caught up with the inspirational business leader to find out more about his influential career.

“Some companies make their leadership training programmes too complicated, but our programmes are organised around common sense” Platinum Business Magazine: Ken, ever since you coauthored The One Minute Manager, people have seen you as someone who can take complicated topics and break them down into concepts that are easy to understand and remember. What originally inspired you to write the book The One Minute Manager? Ken Blanchard: The story reminds me of what John Lennon once said: “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” My wife, Margie, and I were at a cocktail party where Margie struck up a conversation with Spencer Johnson. Spencer had written a series of children’s books called Value Tales, which included titles like The Value of Honesty: The Story of Abe Lincoln and The Value of Determination: The Story of Helen Keller. Margie hand-carried Spencer over to me and said, “You two ought to write a children’s book for

managers. They won’t read anything else.” Shortly thereafter, we started writing The One Minute Manager. Since Spencer was a children’s book writer and I’m a storyteller, we decided to write it as a parable—which ended up being a good decision. PBM: That book was published 37 years ago. Do the principles of management remain the same? Ken: Yes, they do. I met a young man the other day who said, “My grandfather gave my father your book for his first job as a manager, and my father just gave me your book for my first job as a manager.” We wrote The New One Minute Manager a few years ago to bring the book into the 21st century. One of the most important updates was changing One Minute Reprimands to One Minute Re-Directs. Today, most effective leaders have moved from a topdown leadership style to side-byside leadership. One Minute Re-Directs are more consistent with that kind of leadership than One Minute Reprimands would be. The basic story and other concepts are the same. PBM: Through your work, you’ve probably influenced millions of people around the world to be better managers. Can anyone be a great manager? Ken: Anyone who’s open to learn can become a manager, as long as they have the capacity to get out of their own way once in a while—and to focus more on other people than on themselves. PBM: How did you end up with the title of Chief Spiritual Officer?

Ken: A number of years ago, Margie was head of a department in our company called “Office of the Future.” They studied future trends so that we wouldn’t be caught napping when important things happened in our industry or in the world. One of the topics they studied was about creating spirit in the workplace. I thought that was an exciting concept and decided I’d be the Chief Spiritual Officer. PBM: So what does create spirit in the workplace? Ken: What really creates spirit is an environment where people feel involved, appreciated, and cared for. Great companies treat their people as their number one customer. If you empower your people, train them, and love them, they will take care of the second most important customer—the folks who use your products and services. Those people then become raving fans and part of your sales force. That takes care of the profits—and the shareholders. PBM: Talk about the morning message you send to everyone in your company every morning. Ken: First, I tell people who we ought to pray for. We have a very diverse workforce but nobody objects when I say, “Mary’s mom is hurting and Mary’s really concerned, so let’s send our love and our prayers to Mary and her mom.” Second, I praise people. Of everything I’ve taught over the years, my favorite thing is to catch people doing something right and give them a One Minute Praising. Then I tell a story, read a poem, or leave a positive thought for the day. I’m told this helps people feel more connected, especially since so many of our people work remotely.

THE BIG STORY

PBM: Ken, you’re an author, a speaker, and a business consultant who is still actively working even though you will celebrate your 80th birthday this year. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working? Ken: I love hanging out with my wife, Margie. We’ve been married 57 years and she’s my best friend at work and at home. I also love playing golf and watching college basketball. PBM: Why should leaders take a training course from The Ken Blanchard Companies®? Ken: We offer common sense training programmes that help leaders make a difference in their organisations, with topics like customer service, coaching, trust, motivation, change, teams, and self leadership. There’s also a Firsttime Manager training programme for people who are new to management— and SLII®, the most widely used leadership model in the world. Some companies make their leadership training programmes too complicated, but our programmes are organised around common sense. They’re like most of the books I’ve coauthored—full of simple truths and concepts that people can easily apply to their work and life. PBM: This year your company is celebrating its 40th anniversary. What is your vision for the future of the company? Ken: Well, of course, I hope the company is around forever. I mean, 40 years! Not even 5% of companies last that long. My vision is that this company isn’t dependent on me or anyone else and that our leadership concepts will go on forever—The Ken Blanchard Companies will continue to help leaders make a difference in the world.

THE SOUTH EAST’S LEADING BUSINESS GROWTH AND CORPORATE FINANCE HOUSE TRAINING TEAM

PELHAM INTERNATIONAL

FIRST BASE TECHNOLOGIES

YEOMAN’S

ANONYMOUS

Sale of business to Freight Transport Association

Share Buy-Back

£3.2m sale of business to Falanx Group

Minority share sale

£13m sale of UK non-core subsidiary to PE backed Belgian company

Logistic Training Services

International Executive Search

Restaurant chain

Cyber security

EMC provided corporate finance services

PARKER BUILDING SUPPLIES

TIMELY MANAGEMENT

DK MUSIC MANAGEMENT

VAT INTERNATIONAL

GET IT GONE

Sale of business to Cairngorm Capital Partners

Sale of business to Ickenham Travel Group plc

Acquisition of remaining 75% stake in Warble Entertainment Agency Limited

Sale of business to TMF Group

Sale of business to Motorway Online

Building supplies

Travel

Music Agency

VAT Support Services

Car Trader

EMC provided corporate finance services

CORONA CORPORATE SOLUTIONS

ENERGY STORAGE PUBLISHING

CORONA CORPORATE SOLUTIONS

BRITISH CONVERTING SOLUTIONS

Acquisition of The London Photocopying Company

Management Buy-Out

Institutional Buy-Out by H.I.G. European Capital Partners

Acquisition of Regent Document Solutions Ltd

Sale of business to Kolbus

Telecoms & Print Management

Publishing

Telecoms & Print Management

Box Making Machinery

EMC provided corporate finance services

WOODS FOODSERVICES

CORONA CORPORATE SOLUTIONS

COLLIER WEBB

SPRINGHOUSE SOLICITORS

DK MUSIC MANAGEMENT

Refinancing and Development Loan

Acquisition of Classic Business Equipment Ltd

Sale of business to The Edward Alexander Group

Development Capital

Telecoms & Print Management

Lighting and Furniture Design

Solicitors

Music Agency

EMC provided corporate finance services

Foodservice

EMC provided corporate finance services

SUSSEX RECRUITMENT

NON-DISCLOSED Plus a further 5 non-dsclosed deals

Sale of majority stake to HR GO PLC Recruitment

EMC provided corporate finance services

Including 2 Sales 2 Fundraising 1 Share buy-back

EMC provided corporate finance services

www.emcltd.co.uk

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

Reasons to be cheerful EMC Corporate Finance CEO Nik Askaroff finds silver linings in the M&A market even under the Brexit cloud three of the businesses saw expansion into new markets and acquisitions as key growth drivers. In another straw poll taken at our recent Brighton seminar, more than 50 local businesses confirmed that they would be looking to be involved in raising growth capital, acquisition finance or succession planning over the next 12 to 24 months. Political and economic stars have aligned for once to provide a welcome stimulus and buoyancy to the market, particularly at the smaller to mid-market end.

MC celebrates its 30th year in business in 2019 and, strange though it may seem given the continuing uncertainty over Brexit, we’ve rarely gone into a year with greater optimism.

The political shenanigans of the Brexit negotiations have helped to focus many business owners’ minds on the unnerving possibility of a hard-Left government and how this could impact on them both personally and as a business. Some have decided to bring forward their exit plans as a result.

Demographics also continue to play a part in stimulating the market. There are many owners in the 60-plus age bracket running decent, profitable businesses who don’t have a next generation ready and willing to take over. So they are forced to consider a trade sale or MBO to fund their retirement. It’s never easy for someone who has invested years of hard work into building a business, to kiss it goodbye. The emotional ties can be equally as strong as the financial ones. Vendor assisted exits over a period of time to the management team or third parties are becoming regular transactions. This has been helped by Private Equity now being more open to equity releases at the lower-mid end of the market – a major change that is giving everyone some comfort in the future and helping to drive businesses forward.

One word of caution though. with conditions in our fa“There is ample liquidity in the Even vour, deals are getting increasmarket, corporates are sitting ingly difficult to get across the The growing emergence on piles of cash and sterling line. of foreign investors and evremains relatively weak er-greater scrutiny at the due diligence stage are tending against the dollar, meaning to make the processes more We’ve certainly started the acquirers are still plentiful” complex and protracted. All year strongly with four deals the more important, then, to already signed off, a further have experienced corporate advisers Thankfully they are doing so at a time eight under offer and a long pipeline of you can trust by your side throughout. when bank debt is still cheap, there instructions that, even if they don’t all is ample liquidity in the market, correach the finish line, would still see us Now who could they be…..? porates are sitting on piles of cash end the year ahead of 2018’s record. and sterling remains relatively weak against the dollar, meaning acquirers Our optimism is shared by plenty of othwww.emcltd.co.uk are still plentiful. ers. A survey by Insider Media and Together Money showed that more than Add to all of that a Private Equity mar60% expect to grow turnover by at least ket holding record reserves of cash 6% this year with only 11% forecasting and all the ingredients are in place for a decline. 71% said they felt positive good business propositions to find about their ability to raise funds – an ready buyers. important factor given the challenging environment for organic growth. One in This follows a record year in 2018 which saw us complete an amazing 24 deals, placing us in Experian’s top 10 list of the South East region’s most active M&A Financial Advisers.

LEGAL

Workplace investigations When to think about an external investigation Workplace investigations are an important aspect of any disciplinary process. However, in some cases there are several reasons why an outside investigator should be used

t has been widely reported in the press recently that the founder and chief executive of the retailer Ted Baker, Ray Kelvin, resigned after a number of misconduct allegations were made, including ‘forced hugging’. Ted Baker has taken action by appointing an external law firm to undertake an investigation into the allegations made against him.

• If an allegation is likely to gain media interest, passing the investigation to an external party can assist an organisation from a reputation management perspective by demonstrating that it is being taken seriously.

environment, such as the financial sector, and is there a regulatory requirement to report the allegations made?

Why does this matter?

An effective external investigation can add credibility to an organisation’s internal processes, for examThere are important issues to be conple removing any suggestion of bias sidered at the outset of any external or favouritism. It can also help with investigation, such as: Workplace investigations have hisrisk management generally, and may • Who will be appointed as the external torically been conducted internally. create a more solid foundation from investigator? There are a number of However, in recent years which to take appro“An effective external investigation priate action. there has been a trend towards the appointcan add credibility to an ment of external investiAs part of our popular gators. organisation’s internal processes, for Annual Strategic Conference held on Thursexample removing any suggestion of day 23rd May, our When to consider DMH Stallard Employlooking externally bias or favouritism” ment Team alongside Whilst there are no strict a range of guest speakers, will explore options including an external HR prorules, certain factors may indicate that the practical aspects of conducting an fessional, a lawyer or another third it is necessary or appropriate to apexternal investigation, and the considparty with relevant expertise. The point an external investigator. These erations to make when faced with sechoice is likely to be guided by the iscan include: rious allegations that have been made sues to be investigated. • Where allegations involve sexual or about senior staff members. See furother serious misconduct against ther information opposite, including • The content of the Terms of Refersenior executives, where internal inhow to book your place on this popular ence, to ensure the parameters of the vestigations may not command the annual Conference. investigation are clear to avoid the same credibility. investigation ‘mushrooming’ and the investigator exploring issues which • If an investigation is likely to uncover are not relevant. issues with regard to culture, practices or procedures, as these may •H ow will communications and confibe hard to investigate effectively by dentially be managed internally? an internal investigator who may not have experience of other cultures or industry practices. • Are you operating in a regulated

Initial issues to resolve

DMH Stallard invite you to their Employment and HR Strategic Conference

Taking Care of Your Organisation When It’s Making Headlines for the Wrong Reasons

Employers are increasingly facing reputational risks arising from the behaviour of their senior executives, and these issues impact on all types of organisations in all sectors. How effectively the employer is seen to respond can often gain more attention than the seriousness of the original complaint or issue.

AGENDA 9am Coffee and registration 9.30am

Welcome and introduction

9.40am

Corporate ethics: the need for change and organisational responses (Jane Ellis, Strategic Advisor)

10.10am

Whistle-blowing: an overview and some trends (DMH Stallard)

11.15am

Coffee break

11.35am

External investigations and senior level suspensions (DMH Stallard)

12.15pm

Managing data in tricky situations (including SARs) (Sophie Beattie, Consilio LLC)

TIMINGS: 9:00am – 3:30pm

1.00pm

Lunch break

LOCATION: Crowne Plaza, The City, 19 New Bridge Street, London, EC4V 6DB

1.45pm

Managing internal and external comms when under siege (John Evans, Hawthorn Advisors)

PRICE: £175+VAT A £20% discount will be applied to any client of our employment team or for multiple bookings of two or more delegates

2.30pm

Conﬁdentiality: when NDAs work and when they don’t. Government plans for reform. Potential alternative safeguards (DMH Stallard)

3.10pm

Reﬂections, action plan and takeaways

3.30pm

Using case studies, our interactive Conference will explore the practical issues faced when serious allegations are made about executives and other senior staff. This annual conference is for senior HR professionals and others in the C-suite with responsibility for the reputation and ethics of their organisation DATE: Thursday 23rd May 2019

BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT: To register to attend this conference, email marketing@dmhstallard.com

QUESTIONS private equity investors will ask businesses Jack Clipsham and Haodong Zhang of Kreston Reeves share the five key questions every private equity investor will ask a business looking for funding

aising money from private equity investors to fund growth is a well-trodden path for businesses, and the key to securing the deal is preparation.

But first, before approaching any funder, a business needs to ask itself one important question: how much is it looking to raise? The answer will determine who might be interested in investing.

Companies looking for smaller amounts, typically under £2m, would be best looking towards family offices, high net worth individuals and private funds. Those businesses wanting more substantial amounts are best approaching larger private equity investors with institutional backing. There are a significant number of sources of funding and it is important to pitch to the right providers in terms of both amount and sector specialism. Irrespective of the amount raised, senior management teams can expect to be asked the following five questions.

What are you going to do with the funds?

There are three good reasons why would-be funders ask this question. Firstly, to simply make sure the right kind of funding is being sought. Would, for example, debt funding or asset-based lending be more appropriate and less dilutive for shareholders.

Secondly, they will want to know whether it is a purpose they can back. Some funders will not invest in property even if it is a seen as a key part of the business’s development strategy, and others won’t want to provide a war chest just to allow a business to go looking for acquisitions. And thirdly, and perhaps most critically, it is to make sure the management have a clear purpose for the funding. Investors do not want to see money sitting in a bank account earning little or no interest.

What stage of development is the business?

Most private equity firms are unlikely

“Most private equity firms are unlikely to invest in start-up businesses, preferring companies with proven business models”

to invest in start-up businesses, preferring companies with proven business

FINANCE models. They will look for businesses that are revenue generating, profitable and delivering positive cashflows. They like to see businesses looking for development funding to deliver ‘more of the same’, rolling out a proven model that creates a bigger and more valuable version of the company. Early stage, even pre-revenue businesses can raise private equity, but it is important to approach the right funders.

What is the company’s strategic vision and who will deliver it?

If they have successfully raised funds before say so. Do not try and hide gaps in your management team – investment may still follow with the condition that those gaps are filled.

When is funding needed?

Businesses need to think in advance over how and when the funding will be needed. Will it be needed all at once or in tranches? If in tranches, the

Does the company qualify for EIS / VCT status?

EIS/VCT eligibility offers considerable tax benefits for investors, and companies that qualify will find that it opens up the opportunity to a much larger pool of investors that otherwise cannot invest. Spend time exploring whether your business is EIS/VCT compliant.

“There are a significant number of sources of funding and it is important to pitch to the right providers in terms of both amount and sector specialism”

All businesses looking for funding should be able to clearly and concisely articulate their vision. But that on its own is unlikely to be enough. Investors will want to see a strong management team capable of delivering that strategy. They will want to see evidence of relevant experience and a strong commercial background.

business will need to consider how to structure that deal. Will it involve multiple draw-downs based on an agreed valuation on day one, or with future tranches based on updated valuations? Either way future tranches are likely to be linked to agreed milestones.

There will be, of course, many other questions you will be asked by equity investors before they decide to invest. It is a complex and often time-consuming process, and expert advice should always be sought. Undoubtedly you will also have questions of potential investors. Specialist corporate finance advisers, such as the team at Kreston Reeves, can help guide businesses through this process, helping identify appropriate funders and structuring the deal.

To learn more on the funding environment for businesses join Kreston Reeves at its Finance Focus event in Maidstone, Kent on May 8th where Jack Clipsham will be speaking. Register at www.krestonreeves.com/ events or phone Ella Parsons on 0330 124 1399. Jack Clipsham, Partner, Corporate Finance jack.clipsham@krestonreeves.com Haodong Zhang, Assistant Manager, Corporate Services haodong.zhang@krestonreeves.com For more information contact: Jack Clipsham, Partner, Corporate Finance: jack.clipsham@krestonreeves.com Haodong Zhang, Assistant Manager, Corporate Services: Haodong. Zhang@krestonreeves.com www.krestonreeves.com

Tax awareness tips for property investors Rachel Pearce, a Tax Director at MHA Carpenter Box, looks at some important tax considerations for property investment businesses tain other thresholds – for instance, it could reduce the availability of Child Benefit, the personal allowance or the pension savings annual allowance. Our advice is to look at the whole picture to make sure you’re aware of all the knock-on effects that might happen as this mortgage interest/loan tax relief reduces.

Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings

Tax relief for mortgage/ loan interest for residential Buy-to-Let investors

Many landlords have already started to feel the pinch following the restriction on mortgage interest deductions on rental income. The amount of interest eligible for tax relief at the higher and additional rates (40% and 45%) is restricted as follows: • 50% of the interest paid in 2018/19 • 25% of the interest paid in 2019/20 The remaining interest will be eligible only for income tax relief at the basic rate (20%). From April 6th 2020, higher or additional rate taxpayers will only be able to claim relief on any Residential Buy-to-Let (RBTL) interest at the basic rate.

Other considerations

Unfortunately, the way this restriction operates means that a taxpayer’s total income will no longer include a deduction for the restricted interest. This might further affect a taxpayer’s position if this increase means the taxable income consequently exceeds cer-

Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED) can apply when a residential property with a value of at least £500,000 is held in an ‘envelope’. Broadly, an envelope includes a limited company, an LLP with a corporate partner or a collective investment scheme. For any properties owned at April 6th 2019, unless the ‘envelope’ is a charity, a return will need to be filed by April 30th 2019 and any tax paid and/or reliefs claimed. In the case of a mid-year acquisition, a separate return must be filed within 30 days of purchase.

These deadlines are easy to miss so make sure they are diarised if they apply. Penalties will be charged if the deadline is missed.

Structure and Buildings Allowances

It was announced in the 2018 Budget that a new tax relief will be available for businesses (including property rental businesses) that incur capital expenditure on the construction or improvement of non-residential buildings and structures. The relief known as Structure and Buildings Allowances (SBA) will apply at an annual rate of 2% on a straight-line basis once the property has been brought into use. The guidance issued in the 2018 Budget states that the relief will generally not be given for construction pro-

The amount of interest eligible for tax relief at the higher and additional rates (40% and 45%) is restricted as follows: • 50% of the interest paid in 2018/19 • 25% of the interest paid in 2019/20

FINANCE jects which began before October 29th 2018. In contrast to the tax relief which applies for fixtures in buildings (which will continue unchanged), there will be no balancing allowance or charge when the property is transferred (the new owner will claim the remaining relief) and the relief will reduce the base cost of the property for capital gains purposes.

New look, new location... but same great service!

How we can help

As you may realise Property Tax can be complex. At MHA Carpenter Box, our specialist tax advisers can guide you through the world of property investment (we even advise law firms on certain aspects such as Stamp Duty Land Tax). We provide all the support you need to get the certainty you require on all property related matters.

For more information, contact our friendly team of tax and business advisers by contacting Rachael on 01903 234094, emailing tax@carpenterbox. com or visiting our website: www.carpenterbox.com

e are very excited to announce that MHA Carpenter Box has adopted a fresh new visual identity, including a brand new logo. The change to our branding helps to align all of the member firms of our national association MHA, as well as our global network Baker Tilly International. While we may look a little different, MHA Carpenter Box remains independent and locally owned, as it has been for over 95 years.

Why the change?

We believe the new look together with our new tag line ‘Now, for tomorrow’, matches our commitment to make a difference to our clients. Our client ethos revolves around the power of great relationships, great conversations, an understanding of what our clients want to achieve and the power to deliver. Our clients trade locally, nationally and sometimes globally, so the ability for us to work with our UK association colleagues and our international network in over 140 countries helps us to provide clients with the service, expertise and value they deserve and expect. Over the coming years we expect to see AI and other changes allowing us to spend less time on helping businesses with compliance and more time sharing our business and

tax expertise, helping to drive them forward in this ever-changing world.

What is MHA?

MHA is a UK-wide association of like-minded independent accountants and business advisers. Its eight member firms work collaboratively together, with 50 offices across the UK. MHA Carpenter Box is capable of delivering advice and support whatever the size, sector or specialty of our clients.

And there’s more – Brighton here we come!

We are very excited to announce that we have recently opened a Brighton office. We like to think of this as a homecoming as Robert Carpenter, one of our founding partners, traded in Brighton back in the 1920s. Brighton’s entrepreneurial business community (old and new) continues to grow, and we have just the right mix of business and tax advice to help them on their way. Watch out for details of our launch event – we’d love to see you there! For further news on our updated brand and new oﬃce, visit www.carpenterbox.com

When a career break... Taking a break from work has never been more acceptable. Kathryn Paisley, Partner at Rix & Kay, tells us why an extended period of leave can benefit you in the long-term I was ready to think about coming back to the law I approached Rix & Kay on a speculative basis. I was (figuratively speaking) embraced with open arms!

Kathryn Paisley

I started in the corporate team - coming up to four years ago - as a solicitor, graduating to the role of an associate, and am now proud to call myself a partner of the firm. Nusrat Qureishi, an associate, has also joined the corporate team after having taken a break to raise a family. In both of our cases, the really telling factor about our decision to join Rix & Kay was the clear and evident ability and desire on the part of the firm to embrace career paths and life decisions that did not necessarily “fit the mould”.

once heard a partner in a large city law firm explain that she was returning to work immediately after having her child because to take a career break was tantamount to career suicide. Thankfully, things have moved on a bit since then and there has been a lot of interest recently in how to encourage people – women and men alike – who have taken a break from the law to return and reinvigorate their careers.

Rix & Kay has never looked to fit square pegs into square holes (or indeed to ram square pegs into round holes) but instead has ditched the holes completely and has had a welcoming and common-sense approach to recruiting the best possible resources in a way that suits both the firm and the individual concerned. If I had been told four years ago that my only option of returning to work was to be full-time, five days a week, from the outset, I probably would not be here now.

All of this interest has piqued my attention because at Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP we have been well ahead of the field for a while now. I’m a case in point. After starting my legal career at two large firms in the City, I decided when I was ready to raise a family that I wanted to spend time with my children rather than go back to work after a period of maternity leave. When I felt

As it was, the firm and I continued to talk throughout my first few months at work, and beyond, to develop a strategy and a structure that worked for both of us. Critically, lines of communication have always been kept open. I made it clear what was important to me, the firm made it clear what was important to it and we spoke and found a balance.

The upshot for me personally is that I have been able to return to a career I love (having had the wonderful opportunity to raise a family) in a thriving, forward-thinking firm – for me, it’s having my cake and eating it! The industry as a whole is at grave risk of losing talent because of an apparent inability (refusal?) to adapt and embrace different working styles and different desires for work-life balances and what that might mean to individuals. At Rix & Kay we pride ourselves on breaking the mould; we listen, we talk, we adapt and we make it work. We understand that there is an enormous pool of talent out there that might be anxious about returning to work after a break (“what if I’ve forgotten everything I ever knew?”) but that a little understanding, patience and an ability to recruit on the basis of potential could well pay dividends to both parties.

If you have had a career break but know that you still have a lot to offer, do come and have a chat with us. At Rix & Kay we recognise that a career break does not need to represent the end of a career. For further information email kathrynpaisley@rixandkay.co.uk

LEGAL “The industry as a whole is at grave risk of losing talent because of an apparent inability (refusal?) to adapt and embrace different working styles”

A flexible approach to recruitment Rix & Kay continues to implement its long-term plan focussed on growth, planning for succession and underpinned by a robust recruitment strategy. This focus is intended to capitalise on the firm’s growing reputation and its commitment to developing talent from within supported by a positive approach to encouraging flexible working amongst its workforce to retain its biggest asset, its people, and to enhance recruitment. Kathryn Paisley was promoted to Partner in October 2017 following her successful completion of the firm’s dedicated leadership programme. In January 2017, the firm also completed the lateral hire of Nusrat Qureishi who joined the firm as Associate, having previously spent eight years as a Corporate Lawyer in a well known mid-market and City firm. Both Kathryn and Nusrat have young families and Rix & Kay’s commitment to flexible working has played a significant role in supporting both their professional careers whilst enabling the firm to retain some of the very best talent in the region. Most recently, Liz Machin joined Rix & Kay’s Corporate Team following a career break in Spain. Liz previously worked for a City firm including time in their Singapore oﬃce. Liz joined Rix & Kay in March 2019.

...isn’t careerending 31

LEGAL

Employee engagement Setting up a staff forum by Harry Sherrard, Principal of Sherrards Employment Law Solicitors count. Candidates to become elected representatives can, within reason, campaign to their fellow employees, promoting their election to the forum.

Harry Sherrard

igh on most employeesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wish list is better communication from the employer. An effective way of achieving this, and which also enables effective engagement with the workforce, is to set up a staff forum.

Importantly, the constitution of the forum must set out the objectives of the forum, and the subject matter that will be discussed. A fundamental decision needs to be taken as to whether the forum will discuss pay. Larger employers may have across-the-board pay reviews, determined by profitability and other factors. So the organisation needs to decide whether consideration of annual pay reviews will be factored into forum business or not.

There are no strict rules about how to do this, and employers and employee representatives can create a structure that best fits the organisation.

Certain subjects are recommended to be excluded from forum discussions, for example, individual disciplinary or grievance matters. Whilst proposed redundancies will most likely form part of normal forum business, an exclusion needs to be made in respect of the individual personal circumstances of employees under redundancy consultation.

It is advisable to set up a process whereby staff representatives are elected by the workforce, with a common sense distribution of representatives according to functions and locations. Elections should be by way of secret ballot, which can be managed through an email ac-

The forum rules should state that the employer and the representatives will engage in a dialogue in good faith, and that representatives will be given appropriate opportunities to reflect on information provided by the employer, and seek the views of the employees

whom they represent, before providing feedback. Meetings will most likely be held once every three months, with a provision for extraordinary meetings if required. To ensure efficiency and structure, the forum rules should provide for an agenda being distributed to employee representatives at least 48 hours before the meeting. Likewise, employee representative questions should be submitted to the chair of the forum at least 48 hours before the meeting. Typically staff representatives will be elected for a term of three years, after which they normally stand down, although provision can be made for serving two consecutive terms of office. Provision may be made for representatives to obtain external training to support the role. How confidential information is to be handled is an important consideration for inclusion in the forum constitution. It is possible that the employer may occasionally provide information confidentially to employee representatives, and the employer should reserve the right to establish that the information must not be discussed or disclosed to any other person, including other employees, until the employer has permitted this. Finally, and also in the interests of good communication and engagement, an intranet may be set up to support the forum, enabling employees to see minutes of meetings, forthcoming agendas and other information about the operation of the forum. If you require legal advice, please contact the team on 01273 834120 or visit www.sherrardslaw.com

FINANCE CHARITY NEWS

Dirt alert

Operation MUD is back. Register before June 7th to take advantage of early bird rates and prepare to get muddy for charity

“The event is great fun to take part in as an individual or with friends, but is also a brilliant team-building exercise. Whether you’re racing against the clock or just enjoying getting muddy, you’ll know that you’re doing it to raise money for a worthwhile cause.

wo years ago, Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice introduced Operation MUD to its events calendar, and since 2017, hundreds of people have taken on the muddy 5km course to raise money for children and young people with life-shortening conditions. Now the charity is seeking brave individuals and teams to take on the UK’s muddiest obstacle course this summer.

“We haven’t set a minimum sponsorship for Operation MUD, but hope that participants will be inspired to raise as much as they can. The money raised will help us to continue helping local children with life-shortening conditions and their families.”

This year’s Operation MUD will take place on Saturday 13th July at the award-winning Nuts Challenge course at Henfold Lakes near Dorking. Not one for the faint-hearted, the 5km military-style course has over 60 natural and man-made obstacles, and involves climbing, crawling, scrambling, and a lot of mud!

popularity in recent years, and I think this is mostly because they appeal to lots of different people.

Evie White, Events Fundraiser at Chestnut Tree House said: “We’ve had so much positive feedback about Operation MUD over the last two years and are delighted that we can offer people the chance to take part again this summer. Mud runs and obstacle courses have really grown in

“We need to raise £6,850 every day to provide all our specialist care services – both at the hospice and in families’ own homes across East and West Sussex and South East Hampshire. Events like Operation MUD are vitally important us, both in terms of raising funds and awareness.

Early bird registration for Operation MUD is £39 per person, this rises to £44 per person from June 7th. For more information visit www.chestnuttree-house-org.uk/operationmud

To find out more about upcoming events and the different ways your business can support Chestnut Tree House, visit www. chestnut-tree-house.org.uk, email corporate@chestnut-tree-house. org.uk or call 01903 871846 / 01323 725095

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Friendly, patient, professional and highly efficient service, as always, from Extech Cloudâ&#x20AC;?

Humanising IT

TECHNOLOGY LEGAL

“Always a pleasure speaking with experienced technicians with a sense of humour”

96% of people said they had a positive experience with Extech Cloud, based on over 3,000 IT support calls.

Strategies for the future Coast to Capital is accepting applicants for a Vice Chair in order to help lead the region and meet the ambitious vision set out in Gatwick 360

A Message from the Chairman and will focus on our priorities including skills, transport, digital networks and innovation. We represent a diverse area and we will be working to deliver prosperous urban centres whilst prioritising investing in sustainable growth. We are ambitious to become a strong competitor in a global economy, raising the profile of our area and showcasing it to the world is also a key priority.

his is an important year for Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). In 2019, the LEP will drive forward work to deliver our new Strategic Economic Plan, Gatwick 360, and will produce the area’s first Local Industrial Strategy. We also have an ambitious vision for the towns and cities in the Coast to Capital area to be known around the world as fantastic places to live, to grow and succeed, and for the area to become the most dynamic non-city region in England, centred around a highly successful Gatwick Airport. Our outgoing Vice Chair, Steve Allen, leaves our partnership in a very strong place. We need an outstanding Vice Chair to build on his work, and to help lead us through the exciting times ahead. Our Local Industrial strategy will be firmly based in the strengths that already exist in the region

The LEP is working to develop and grow the area’s economy. We are developing business infrastructure and support to help the businesses that are based here to create good jobs that will retain and develop the skills of our people. We also want to attract new businesses to locate here to generate further income for the economy, and add value to our business supply chains. The roles of the Vice Chair will require strong leadership, a strategic and collaborative approach and hard work to make sure we get this right. LEP Board members come from different backgrounds across the area and offer a breadth of industry knowledge and expertise. I am keen to hear from people that can build on this diversity. I invite you to bring your ideas, your skills and your ambition. If you would like to get involved, I would love to hear from you. Tim Wates Coast to Capital Chairman

Our Organisation

Coast to Capital is one of 38 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) across England – but the only one lucky enough to be responsible for driving the economic growth and sustainable success of this beautiful, vibrant and exceptionally well connected region. As a LEP, we are here to provide strategic leadership, connect business with support and act as a catalyst for transformational change. As an ambitious and professional business-led collaboration between the private, public and education sectors we work in partnership to deliver a successful strategy for economic growth.

Our Strategy – Gatwick 360

In July 2018 we published Gatwick 360, our new Strategic Economic Plan, which sets out our vision for the area by 2030. In it we describe our eight priorities to achieve our vision, providing strong leadership and succeeding together with our partners. Our vision by 2030 is for the towns and cities in the Coast to Capital area to be known around the world as fantastic places to live, to grow and succeed and for the area to become the most dynamic non-city region in England, centred around a highly successful Gatwick Airport. Our eight economic priorities are to: • Deliver prosperous urban centres • Develop business infrastructure and support • Invest in sustainable growth • Create skills for the future • Pioneer innovation in core strengths • Promote better transport and mobility • Improve digital network capability

COAST TO CAPITAL

“We are ambitious to become a strong competitor in a global economy, raising the profile of our area and showcasing it to the world is also a key priority” • Build a strong national and international identity Delivering on the pledges we make in Gatwick 360 now forms a distinct programme for the organisation. Through Gatwick 360 we will negotiate a strong

future relationship with Government for our area, through a Local Industrial Strategy.

Remuneration: The post is not remunerated, although reasonable travel and expenses will be paid

About the role

Term Length: Three years with the potential to renew for one further term

We are seeking an outstanding Vice Chair in order to help lead the region and meet our ambitious vision set out in Gatwick 360. The role of the Vice Chair is key in supporting the LEP Chair and the delivery of our objectives. We are keen to hear from outstanding individuals who are capable of representing businesses across our entire area passionate about driving forward our economic growth.

Anticipated Time Commitment: One to two days per month

Diversity

We are committed to creating an inclusive organisation that promotes and values diversity. As such, we welcome applications from senior business figures from under-represented groups and encourage female business leaders to apply.

For the full job description including responsibilities, person specification, terms and conditions and information on how to apply please visit www. coast2capital.org.uk/work-for-us

In association with

2019, THE YEAR OF INNOVATION! The Let’s Do Business exhibition is the leading business to business exhibition in the South East. This year’s event takes place at The Amex Stadium in Falmer on June 13th. We’re pleased to announce our headline sponsors are Quantuma and Clean Growth UK. Register to visit for FREE seminars, access to our brand new Innovation Zone and the chance to meet key decision makers from across Sussex, Gatwick and beyond.

What’s new?

Why visit? • Opportunity to explore the latest technologies and innovations for FREE in the 2019 Innovation Zone • Networking with some of Brighton and the South East’s top companies • Complimentary seminar access for free learning, tips and thoughts from dynamic, successful business and thought leaders • Dedicated work and break out zones so business doesn’t have to stop! • FREE show guide to takeaway with details of key businesses REGISTER FOR FREE: letsdobusiness.org/why-visit/visitor-registration/

Brand new for 2019 is the Innovation Zone sponsored by East Sussex College Group. The Innovation Zone will feature the latest in cutting-edge technology and the opportunity to discuss ways of encouraging innovation in your company. Why stop by the Innovation Zone? • Live demos of the latest in innovative technology • Discover how the education sector is inspiring the next generation of the workforce to think innovatively • Find out about support for funding innovation • Discuss the impact innovative technology will have on the future of business • Find out how you can use technology to futureproof your offering • Advice on encouraging your workforce to think innovatively

Innovation Zone sponsored by

Headline Sponsors We’re pleased to announce this year’s headline sponsors are Quantuma and Clean Growth UK.

Quantuma is a leading business advisory firm – speak to them about maximising business value on stand S2.

Clean Growth UK will be on hand on June 13th to discuss how businesses can help to tackle climate change

Join the pre-show breakfast hosted by Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce. Buy tickets at www.businessinbrighton.org.uk/ event/lets-do-businessnetworking-breakfast

With thanks to our other sponsors

Join us LAST FEW on June STANDS 13th REMAINING To book a stand and position your company among the most innovative in the South East, please visit: letsdobusiness.org/ Platinum2019

Learn & debate with our lively seminars… NEW FOR 2019 is thought provoking debates! Don’t miss out on your chance to have your say about key business topics in the region! Speakers announced so far… • Leading VR and augmented reality company Showstorm • University of Brighton – the launch of Clean Growth UK • Switchplane – The future of social media: what’s next? Plus debates on how your business can innovate

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 2019, 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.

HEALTH & WELLBEING Meat-heavy diets create more climate change than all cars and planes, combined. Forbes

According to research...

38%

of millennials say they trust their peers more than medical professionals. The Telegraph

According to a new study...

people who often switch between

“Investment in primary

forms of digital media are more

health is a cost-effective

likely to be overweight or suffer

way of providing universal

from obesity. Medical News Today

health coverage”

Globally

1 in 5 deaths are caused by poor diet

Medical xpress

A lack of fruit and ﬁbre is taking the heaviest toll on life expectancy, fuelling conditions such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Too much salt was the fourth biggest dietary risk, followed by too few vegetables. The Lancet

Taking at least 20 minutes out of your day to stroll or sit in a place that makes you feel in contact with nature will significantly lower your stress hormone levels Medical xpress

A record-smashing

250,000

people tried going vegan with the Veganuary campaign in January. www.positive.news

MANAGING the mental health minefield

By Paul Ollerton, Managing Director at ViiSana Ltd

Have you ever suffered from one or more of the following? 42.4% Stress 35.2% Anxiety 35.2% Depression 34.0% Sleep problems 30.3% None of these 18.0% Panic attacks 14.4% Suicidal feeling 8.1% Obsessive-compulsive disorder 8.0% Self harm 7.3% Any phobias 6.8% Eating disorders 6.7% Paranoia 5.9% Postnatal depression 5.7% Post-traumatic stress disorder

Paul Ollerton

et’s face it, we have a juggernaut heading our way. The average UK workplace is not taking the growing mental health issues that are being experienced by our employees seriously enough. Last year’s government-commissioned Thriving at Work report showed that as many as 300,000 people lose their job each year due to a mental health problem, and that poor mental health at work costs the UK economy between £72 billion and £99 billion. Even more worryingly, research by Mind suggests that one in three em-

Benenden Health – mental health in the workplace November 2017

ployers do not know where to look for guidance on mental health issues. It really is time to wake up to the problem. In this month’s article, we are looking to explore what can practically be done to manage the problem, and give the best support to your employees.

Trying to understand the problem

One in four people in the UK will have

a mental health problem at some point during their lives. Thankfully, while mental health problems are clearly common, most are mild, tend to be short-term and are normally successfully treated with medication by a GP. Mental health is a broad subject, capturing how we think, feel and behave. The conditions suffered are also wide ranging – with anxiety and depression being the most common mental health

HEALTH & WELLBEING Awareness of mental health issues is growing, and many British employers marked October’s World Mental Health Day by handing out pamphlets and green ribbons. But the journey from a company saying it supports good mental health to doing so in practice can problems recorded. Issues can be caused in reaction to any difficult life event, but importantly can also be caused or aggravated by work-related issues. A recent study by Benenden, demonstrated just how deep the issue has become. They measured the types of mental health issues experienced, across a range of ages and social groups. Their findings were quite disturbing – one example being that 8% of a typical workforce had self-harmed. That’s not insignificant.

What legislation says

The Health and Safety Executive, Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety, has published guidance on the management of mental health. What they make clear is that, whether work is causing the health issue or aggravating it, employers have a legal responsibility to help their employees. They go onto say that work-related mental health issues must to be assessed to measure the levels of risk to staff. Where a risk is identified, steps must be taken to remove it or reduce it as far as reasonably practicable. It is also important to consider that some employees will also have a mental health condition when recruited or may develop one caused by factors that are not work-related. In these circumstances, employers may have further legal requirements, to make reasonable adjustments under the current equalities’ legislation.

What the experts say

In 2017, the government commissioned Lord Stevenson and Paul Farmer (Chief Executive of Mind) to independently review the role employers can play to better support individuals with mental health conditions in the workplace.

be a long one and, too often, one that remains incomplete. Four in 10 managers have been approached by employees with mental health problems, the Institute of Directors says. Yet the IoD, in its survey of 700 company The ‘Thriving at Work’ report sets out a framework of actions – called ‘Core Standards’ – that the reviewers recommend employers of all sizes can and should put in place. This is a sensible place to start, helping employers to:

directors conducted in May last year, also found that two-thirds of organisations did not offer mental health-related training to managers. Britain’s Healthiest Workplace 2018 • Form part of a mental health at work plan • Promote communications and open conversations, by raising awareness and reducing stigma • Provide a mechanism for monitoring actions and outcomes

PRACTICAL TIPS There are a few simple steps that employers of any size can take to make a difference in their place of work. These include:

Here you will find guidance on improving culture, influencing organisational approach and also policy development

• Do your research. We recommend a simple review of the HSE legislation to understand your legal obligations. Search for mental health conditions, work and the workplace, and their content is easy to follow

Make a change TODAY. There are simple steps that can be taken that have an instant impact. These include:

• Read around the subject. There is a wealth of free and very well researched information available. We recommend the ACAS guidance Managing staff experiencing mental ill health (available on their website), Britain’s Healthiest Workplace annual report 2018 (available from Vitality or the team at ViiSana can send a copy to you), Benenden’s Mental Health In The Workplace report published in 2017, and the guidance published on www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk

• Train volunteers in Mental Health First Aid • Offer mentorship to those in need • Create a social environment – schedule events that include everyone in the workplace • Provide a confidential and private support mechanism • Promote sleep – it’s important! • Easy access to experts – meditation, stress relief, yoga • Provide support from local financial partners. Money worries are significantly contributing to overall mental issues

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 Phone 0333 772 0761 Twitter/Instagram/Facebook/LinkedIn

Standing up for health UK Health Secretary is a standing desk convert

att Hancock MP, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, believes believes every business should encourage employees to use sit-stand desks. And he takes his own advice. “I know from personal experience that having a standing desk can help you get some exercise and improve your productivity at work,” he told an ISPAH global conference on physical activity recently.

sitting and standing report greater productivity, creativity and motivation, as well as reduced stress and fatigue.

He urged employers to offer staff the chance to use standing desks like our in order raise activity levels and avoid the health risks of sedentary working habits.

A study of NHS workers reported in the BMJ established that those using standing desks were happier and healthier, reporting less anxiety, raised energy levels, greater levels of engagement and improved job performance. “Workplaces can make a difference: encouraging breaks, offering standing desks, having standing meetings - which in my experience tend to finish quicker too,” Mr Hancock said.

Sit-Stand.Com UK Sales Director Rik Mistry says, “Employers know that to recruit and retain the best staff, they need to offer the best working conditions. Our standing desks are already purchased by organisations ranging from the Premier League to Cambridge University, via the NHS and the Royal Navy, Amazon and Deutsche Bank.”

“Our message should be that movement is medicine”

He also encouraged GPs, schools and parents to take action on the national inactivity crisis: “Our message should be that movement is medicine.” Musculoskeletal problems are to blame for nine million lost working days every year, with increasing numbers of desk-bound staff suffering health problems exacerbated by spending too much time seated.

Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP

In addition to the physical benefits of adopting sit-stand working practices, the mental health benefits are also proven. Staff who alternate between

Sit-Stand.Com offer a range of desk risers including their newly expanded range Yo-Yo Desk® range .

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Great culture starts early Chichester School students become role models

ear nine students learnt how to be role models for younger students as part of an on-going programme to improve their confi dence and resilience. Students, aged between 13 and 14, were taking part in the inspirational Be the Change programme. The students were encouraged to become positive role models and were taught that by working together they can have a positive influence and impact in their respective schools and communities. Overall the conference helps the young people to develop life skills and create positive cycles. The year nine students were taken by surprise when they were joined by local primary school students for them to mentor at the The Weald and Downland Living Museum on the event in March. Organised by LoveLocalJobs.com in partnership with Graham Moore of metamoorephosis, the programme has more than 40 volunteers from local businesses and the public sector acting as business guides helping young

people fulfil their potential and improve their life chances. Be the Change focuses on happiness, confidence, hope, relationships and employability by identifying and removing barriers to success, encouraging self-belief and raising aspirations. Over the course of the school year the students work with the business volunteers at inspirational conferences, one-to-one mentoring sessions and workplace visits. This year’s programme would not be possible without support from this year’s sponsors and volunteer business guides from some of the leading local employers, including Chichester District Council, Chichester College, Petworth Vision and Vitacress Graham said: “Our vision is for every young person to have raised hope and confidence, to have the chance to develop life skills and create positive cycles that will prepare them for life. Working with the younger children brings out the positive role model in our students. It promotes qualities such as

leadership, team working and a sense of responsibility to those around them, especially younger and more vulnerable people.” Lisa Humphries, Director of Student Services & Pastoral Support at the Chichester College Group, said: “We are pleased to be able to support the Be the Change programme. It’s a really motivational project which is working with businesses, like ourselves, with the ambition to build young people’s employability skills and open doors to them. Together, we aim to raise confidence and the aspirations of young people in the area, which reflects our own efforts here at Chichester College.” Sharon Bell, Work Experience Coordinator at Bourne Community College said: “This programme gives huge inspiration to young people, showing them how to gain confidence and show respect to others – giving insight to the fact there isn’t a limit to what they can do. ‘Believe you can!’” The schools involved in the programme are: Bourne Community College, Midhurst Rother College, The Academy Selsey, Chichester High School, Bishop Luffa and Chichester Free School.

Posturite kitted out YOOX Net-a-Porter’s brand new tech hub

Why it’s best to invest in seating For any professional business, ergonomic chairs are important. We hear from Posturite, the leading workplace health and wellbeing specialists, on the process of buying, installing and setting up chairs for individuals at their desk

orget pingpong tables and free-beer-Fridays. You can introduce as many imaginative office perks as you like, but if staff aren’t comfortable then they aren’t going to perform. It’s amazing how many organisations invest in staff productivity but neglect the tools employees

use every day - their office chairs. Misshapen seats, ripped upholstery, poor ergonomics and incorrect adjustments are just some of the problems our team see on a daily basis. These are all signs of neglect - not just of office equipment, but of the people who

are being asked to use them. Being uncomfortable is distracting, it’s unpleasant and it has a huge bearing on how creative, focused and energetic we feel. A poor chair can cause problems before discomfort or pain is even felt. It can force us into poor positions, like hunching and head-hanging, it can impede blood circulation and even affect our breathing which, as we know, has a huge affect on how we feel and perform in work tasks. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among the most common causes of short and long-term sickness absence in the UK. In fact, work-related musculoskeletal disorders account for 8.9 million lost working days each year. With so much time and money at stake, its pays to make good ergonomic chairs an absolute priority.

Posturite have helped many organisations meet their productivity goals, including Hastings Direct...

This is where our dedicated seating projects team can help. Led by experienced Seating Specialist David Kirtley, the team guides clients through the

HEALTH & WELLBEING “Work-related musculoskeletal disorders account for 8.9 million lost working days each year” entire process of buying ergonomic chairs, from overseeing trials and evaluations, right up to ordering, installing and setting up the chairs for individuals at their desks. We work with organisations of all sizes across the world. From kitting YOOX Net-a-Porter’s brand new tech hub out with over 900 hundred designer HAG SoFis, to helping Telegraph Media Group tackle MSDs with a fleet of our own-brand Positiv U600s, we’ve helped hundreds of organisations meet their productivity goals with the perfect office seating. Our point of contact at the Telegraph said: “The service provided by Posturite is second to none. We have never been let down with any aspect, from ordering to delivery to eventual repairs.” Following our work providing 300 chairs for Holiday Extras, we were told: “Nothing has been too much trouble: arranging a demonstration of several models, selecting and receiving fabric samples, installation followed up with invaluable and individual training on how best to use the chair.” We see ergonomic seating as an investment, not a cost. Investing in the right seating can: • Increase comfort • Reduce the risk of MSDs • Reduce absenteeism • Cut maintenance costs • Boost staff morale • Improve productivity

How does the process work?

We meet We’ll visit you for a consultation to get to the heart of what you need.

We’ll present our ideas We will present a selection of recommended chairs based on our first meeting. You’ll see photos, full specifi cations and insider knowledge to help you choose.

User trials We’ll arrange to bring trial models for your employees to spend some time with. We’ll then provide you with a comparison matrix to help with the selection process.

Customisation Want a certain fabric colour? Want to ditch the armrests, or add a headrest? We can discuss all available chair modifications in this meeting.

Delivery and set-up We will deliver and install chairs at any time that suits you – with minimal disruption to your business. This can involve a ‘floor walk to help your staff get to grips with their new chairs.

Full ongoing support Repairs, replacements and ongoing ergonomic support from our experts will be available throughout the lifecycle of your chairs.

About David Kirtley David has spent over 17 years working in oﬃce ergonomics for Posturite, building an excellent understanding of ergonomic products and furniture over this time. As Posturite’s Seating Specialist, David is responsible for making sure our clients are advised on the best seating solutions for their business. Having worked with, and been educated by, some of the world’s leading manufacturers, he has a huge knowledge of oﬃce seating, workplace ergonomics and corporate wellness. David heads up the chair project team, and by working closely with the team and our clients, he ensures that the client’s objectives are met on a number of levels and is perfectly placed to support you through the important chair selection process. To discuss what we can do for you, please email David at davidkirtley@posturite.co.uk To find our more about our seating project service, visit www. posturite.co.uk/projects

...and The Bank of New York Mellon

Health &WELLBEING We ❤ Chocolate

news Medics at melting point

ating three chocolate bars every month can drastically reduce your risk of experiencing heart failure, scientists have claimed. A study presented at the European Society of Cardiology conference in Munich stated that moderation, not deprivation, is key in preventing heart issues later on in life. A team of researchers assessed more than half a million adults in order to determine how consumption of chocolate impacts heart health. They concluded

It’s a dog’s life

ccording to a Swedish study, dogs really are our best friends as research has revealed that canine ownership could help reduce heart disease. 3.4 million people between the ages of 40 and 80 found that having a dog was associated with a 23% reduction in death from heart disease and a 20% lower risk of dying from all other causes. Dog owners show better responses to stress (their blood pressure and pulse rates don’t soar), have higher levels of physical activity and slightly lower cholesterol levels.

that eating up to three chocolate bars a month can reduce risk of heart failure by 23% in comparison to those who don’t eat any chocolate at all. Dr Chayakrit Krittanawong, lead researcher of the study, explained how the flavonoids found in chocolate can be beneficial for one’s health. He said that consuming flavonoids can increase the levels of nitric oxide found in the body, which in turn increases blood flow and improves circulation.

90% of respondents admitted that their current working, training or studying environment had contributed to their condition either to a significant or partial extent. The BMA says that the long hours and heavy workload experienced by doctors and medical students is pushing them towards “burnout”, warning that many are refusing to seek help for fear it will ruin their career.

A fruitful idea

cookbook written by cancer patients who lost their sense of taste has been nominated for a global award. The Velindre Cookbook features recipes for people whose taste buds have changed due to chemotherapy. The book has raised more than £10,000 for Velindre Cancer Care in Cardiff and is nominated for the Gourmand World Cookbook awards in China.

All work, no play holiday is a chance to get some much-needed relaxation yet an investigation by tombola shows that 44% of Brits didn’t use all of their holiday allowance last year. The findings also revealed that 46% of Brits are working unpaid overtime on a regular basis and 23% ended the year with 5+

n increasing number of medical professionals are at high risk of psychological burnout, a new report has revealed. The British Medical Association (BMA) has warned of a mental health “crisis” among doctors and medical students after a survey of more than 4,300 participants found that just over a quarter (27%) have received a psychiatric diagnosis.

days holiday left, meaning almost a quarter of Brits worked an extra week for free. The research also found that working on holiday is becoming expected of some employees. 33% of UK workers said that they are contacted by their workplace whilst on holiday, and 44% regularly check their emails.

The book was inspired by the story of Angharad Underwood who was treated at the hospital in 2014 for breast cancer and who found that the one flavour she could taste was her homemade blackcurrant jam. Her recipe - and story - is shared in the book that was created by Ceri Harris of Velindre NHS Trust.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Four hours is fine?

here are concerns that there is a lot of advice regarding sleep which may be risky.

Researcher Dr Rebecca Robbins asserts that less than five hours sleep is seriously damaging our health.

A team of researchers from New York University matched common beliefs with scientific evidence to dispel them in a paper published in Sleep Health journal.

“We have extensive evidence to show sleeping five hours or less consistently, increases your risk greatly for adverse health consequences,” says Dr Robbins.

One example was the idea that we can operate well on as little as four hours sleep. One method being promoted is ‘polyphasic sleeping’ where you snooze in short bursts throughout the day instead of sleeping all night.

The team also criticised theories that an alcoholic nightcap can aid sleep, as well as the idea that dozing off in front of TV can help us drift off to sleep effectively.

Getting burnt by hot desking?

ew research has revealed eight in 10 office workers have reported that hot desking can have a negative impact on their mental wellbeing. The research, carried out by Brickendon Digital, has revealed that 92% of office workers have reported issues with hot desking including wasting time setting up a computer (44%), wasting time looking for a desk when starting work (31%) and difficulty bonding with their team (22%).

Identifying the main causes of hot desk stress, the research revealed 58% of respondents found the prospect of not knowing where to sit every day as the biggest stressor. Christopher Burke, CEO, Brickendon, commented: “In its current state hot desking is very much flawed, and worryingly affecting employees’ mental wellbeing. It’s an important issue requiring urgent attention.” Source: www.fmj.co.uk

Keep the noise down

lmost half (44%) of office workers say that noisy working conditions have a negative effect on their wellbeing, significantly affecting productivity and stress levels. Of the 1,000 office workers polled, 40% said noise at work made them feel stressed, while 65% said it affected their ability to complete work in an accurate and timely manner.

51% had overhead a confidential or sensitive conversation, while 70% had heard a colleague who felt upset or distressed. This meant more than half would feel uncomfortable speaking about a confidential matter in the office.

interruptions identified by the survey included: colleagues’ telephone conversations (74%); personal conversations (65%); sudden laughter (62%); telephone ring tones (58%); doors slamming (56%); and eating noises (55%).

Examples of the most distracting noise

Source: www.personneltoday.com

More than half (52%) said they were interrupted by noise distractions more than five times a day and a further 17% claimed they were distracted more than 10 times a day. The Noise and Wellbeing at Work 2019 survey, carried out by sound masking system supplier the Remark Group, also found 64% often felt they lacked privacy at work.

A whole world of

Phileas Fogg’s World of Adventures. Reviewed by Ian Trevett

ow do you find somewhere to go with your family after the once enthusiastic kids have transformed into hard-to-please teenagers or busy young adults? Spending time with parents is nowhere near as appealing as being with your mates and if you do have to be with the family, then the only option is keep eyes and thumbs firmly fixed on the smartphone. So to achieve a rare successful family outing is an occasion worthy of celebration. I’d heard great things about Brighton’s Phileas Fogg’s World of Adventures,

like it or not!” But like it they did.

notably from The Tourism Alliance’s Julia Weeks and Vivid Marketing’s Gemma King. Persuading my clan wasn’t going to be so easy, so it was the usual nuclear option: “We’re all going out on Friday evening, whether you

The tours are taken by groups of up to 12 people, and on arrival we found we were sharing the experience with a group of eight from American Express. A work group and a family group would appear a strange dynamic, but it worked fantastically. Everyone got so immersed in the challenges that the groups quickly became one, working together to beat the timed challenges in the 16 world locations. The smooth merging of the two groups was partly down to the skill of our host Phileas Fogg, and also the fact that we were fortunate to have been joined by a friendly and sociable group.

It has been Brighton’s best-kept secret, but the word is getting out as people tell their friends and families. Highly recommended!

CORPORATE EXPERIENCES

adventure “What makes the experience unique is that it genuinely suits all ages”

The Verdict

To review Phileas Fogg is a bit tricky as the experience is full of surprises and no-one likes a spoiler. So what can I tell you? The creators of the experience have spent immense time and money on creating atmospheric sets recreating Victorian-era destinations, each location hosting a challenge or two, from touchscreen puzzles to good old-fashioned hunting for treasure.

I asked our fellow travellers for their thoughts on the experience:

The journey starts on a rickety ‘train’ where we get to met our companion and guide Phileas Fogg, played with infectious enthusiasm by one of the team of actors. Fogg prepares us for the challenges ahead and warns us that we are being pursued by Fix from Scotland Yard for the crime of robbing the Bank of England.

Shahrukh M - “Around the world in 80 days, great balls of fun for friends and families.”

Perhaps the closest comparison I can think of is The Crystal Maze, complete with the manic host rushing the contestants like a cross between Richard O’Brien and Richard Ayoade. The key is always co-operation and team work to beat the physical and mental challenges, but there is another crucial agreement - a great sense of humour. You are guaranteed to have a good belly laugh, with the actors joining in and corpsing on a regular basis.

Rob H - “Literally the most fun I’ve had with the lights on. Challenging, hilarious and above all a unique experience for everyone. The actors were immense, the sets were engulfing. Fun and laughter from start to finish.”

What makes the experience unique is that it genuinely suits all ages. It works for corporate/work outings, but also is perfect for families or children’s parties.

Juanita C - “Making friends with strangers to work together in this problem-solving, out of world adventure.” Atasha G - “A fun experience of problem solving, like out of a Dan Brown book, and an endorphin rush that feels and lasts as long as an Indiana Jones movie.”

OPENING IN LATE JUNE Jack the Ripper, Walk of Terror As you check into the eerie funeral Parlour you soon realise, this is not for the faint hearted. You will (cautiously) make your way through the maze of dark and foreboding Victorian back streets. Always keep in mind, there is a murderer out there, somewhere… close. There are no games here, this is just a case of getting from A-B with your wits and nerves intact. www.phileasfoggs.co.uk

INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS

Failing to adapt By Dean Orgill, Chair of Sussex IoD and Chairman of Mayo Wynne Baxter

“U

ltimately failure is often a much better teacher than success, and we learn far more from it. It can make our ultimate successes far more rigorous and sustainable in the longer term.” I will refer to some far more erudite thinkers shortly, but the words above appeared in a column written by me for this very magazine some little while ago now. That particular column was brought back to mind by my reading a book that I thoroughly recommend to anyone in business – namely Adapt: Why Success Always Starts with Failure by Tim Harford.

exceptions creating our new inventions and businesses. For many of us though the comfort zone is an attractive and welcoming place to reside, and especially in the seemingly perpetually interesting times that we find ourselves trying to navigate at the moment. But does this place us at risk of falling into the trap described by Benjamin E Mays who

at all. However, one thing I did pick up from it was that if you concentrate on the bunker or lake rather than the fairway, your ball is far more likely to end up there. Professional sports people will tell you about visualising success, rather than worrying about consequences of being unsuccessful.

“Just a thought – Is there something that you might give yourself permission to try but fail in?”

My earlier article lamented the unwillingness to try, and possibly fail, that seemed to be being educated into our culture. However, I did acknowledge (as I do again here) that happily there remain innovative and entrepreneurial

commented that, “The tragedy of life is often not in our failure, but rather in our complacency: not in our doing too much, but rather in our doing too little; not in our living above our ability, but rather in living below our capacities”? Of course no-one wants to fail, and no-one sets out with the goal of achieving it. But if we let that possibility be the focus do we not potentially make it more likely to happen? Anyone who has seen me attempt to play golf knows that it is not my game

But in those scenarios the prospect of failure is not denied, and a key thing is that the next time that a shot is lined up the focus again should be on future success rather than past failure. To a degree failure is inevitable but generally accepting that and using it is what will enable ultimate success to be achieved. Bill Gates, a man who knows a little about success says, “It’s fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure”. On reflecting on all of this though a wiser, philosophical mind added the fi nal thought for me – that both success and failure are part of a continuous process, and that neither is absolute. Churchill pointed out that, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts,” and to my mind is what we must not lose.

www.mayowynnebaxter.co.uk www.iod.com

BRIGHTON SUMMIT

Brighton Summit: Crack on

This year’s Summit is all about stepping up, moving your business forward and ‘Cracking on’.

righton Chamber has launched Brighton Summit, the seventh annual conference for everyone in and around Brighton who wants to evolve and grow their business. Super Earlybird tickets sold out in record time and a quarter of the total available tickets have already been snapped up for the event, due to be held on Friday October 11th. The theme this year is ‘Crack on’. It’s all too easy to carry on doing things the same way you always have, to hesitate and make excuses for putting things off. It’s harder to drive forward, and, if necessary, make changes, especially in such uncertain times. But success

in business often means overcoming your doubts, ignoring the “what ifs” and just cracking on and doing it. What “it” is depends on you, your business and your aims. It might be radical or it might be subtle. It could mean taking risks; it could equally mean sticking to your principles. It could be about having a vision; it could be about focusing on people. You can fill in the blanks, but the Summit should give you the motivation to make it happen. Whatever your interpretation, the determination to get on and make things happen is what makes a business stand out, survive and thrive. This year’s Brighton Summit: Crack On, is about taking your business, or work, by the scruff of its neck, deciding what you want and going for it. At the 2017 Brighton Summit, attendees faced uncertainty and ‘Embraced the Unknown’. Last year it was about exploring new ways of working and choosing to ‘Look Up’. In 2019 get inspired to Crack on, step up and get your business moving.

What is Brighton Summit?

Bringing together 400 businesses and entrepreneurs from the city’s di-

verse business community, it’s a day for strengthening relationships and forging new ones. You’ll get inspiring speakers, expert-led workshops and energising discussions, with plenty of time for networking built in at every turn. Brighton Summit, which is hosted by Brighton Chamber, celebrates the spirit of our open-minded, quirky city which makes it such a dynamic region to live, work and do business in.

Who is Brighton Summit for?

Brighton Summit is for everyone in and around Brighton who wants to evolve and grow their business. Whether you’re a big business CEO, a not-forprofit, an entrepreneur or an employee, Brighton Summit is for you.

What will I get from Brighton Summit?

Fresh perspectives, new approaches and ways of working, skills and techniques to help your company thrive, and the tools, confidence and inspiration to do things differently. It’s a day for building connections, entertaining new ideas and leaving your comfort zone. It’s the most productive and beneficial day out of the office all year. Book your place today – just search ‘Brighton Summit: Crack on’ on Eventbrite or visit www.businessinbrighton.org.uk/events/brighton-summit for more information.

A route to success >>>

Sussex Innovation has a key role in supporting not only student enterprises but professors and lecturers. Here we discover how this business incubation network treats academic innovators as start-up founders

or start-up businesses in the South East, Sussex Innovation is best known as a business support organisation and incubation network. But as an innovation centre, it also works closely with the University of Sussex to find valuable commercial applications for its academic research and Intellectual Property. “Our approach has always been to work with academic innovators in exactly the same way that we would support and mentor the founder of any start-up business,” says Peter Lane, Innovation Support Manager and the Centre’s lead on research commercialisation. “The professors and lecturers that approach us to discuss the ideas they’ve been working on are quite used to having them peer reviewed and pulled apart to get at the science or the methodology. But getting an idea business-ready requires a different skill set and often means interrogating it in an entirely different way, from a customer or busi-

“Getting an idea business-ready requires a different skill set and often means interrogating it in an entirely different way” ness needs perspective.” Often, the challenge is one of communication; parsing scientific, dense and highly technical subject matter into

‘big picture’ information that can be easily understood by a time-poor business audience. “If you’re a subject matter expert, it can be quite challenging to mentally recalibrate and focus in on where the

commercial opportunity lies,” adds Sasha Hall-Jones, Research Commercialisation Project Manager. “You naturally want to explore every tangent and every possibility, so a key part of our role is to bring in the market research expertise that can say: here are all the industry sectors where this idea could be valuable, these are the biggest potential opportunities, and this is the one that is closest to a commercial outcome. Then we try to find people from industry and explain the solution in terms they understand.” The University became sole owners of Sussex Innovation in 2008, with the Centre’s team assuming a key role in supporting academic and student enterprise. Sussex Innovation’s specialist support team work closely with the Sussex Research and Enterprise de-

SUSSEX INNOVATION CENTRE partment, often acting as a conduit between the business world off-campus, and the academic world on it. “There are several routes that an idea can take from original research through to a commercial outcome,” explains Lane. “At an early stage we may work closely with the academic to carry out some early stage application insight, market research and industry engagement to establish whether there is a credible business opportunity there. Sometimes the research reveals that more money needs to be spent on product development, or that we need to look more closely at the underlying business model and strategy.”

Three research commercialisation success stories TribeHive is a technology that improves mobile connectivity amidst large crowds, such as in sports stadia. Following a pilot project at Brighton & Hove Albion’s Amex Stadium in 2013, the project was spun out and eventually merged with local marketing technology company InCrowd Sports in 2016. The business has grown rapidly and received significant seed investment. www.incrowdsports.com

On these occasions, the team will either source the requisite skills from an extensive network of specialists, or offer advice and consultancy from within the team on topics including financial modelling, messaging and branding. When all parties are satisfied that the product is market-ready, a decision is made as to what commercial structure the project will take: • Enterprise Units are like micro-businesses run by the University, with a project lead and budget managed by the Enterprise Panel (a board made up of University and Innovation Centre representatives). They help to further test the market by selling a limited product or service, without having to set up a separate legal entity. • Spinout Companies operate as fully-established businesses, usually in the form of a limited company. The University will often provide start-up capital to get the company up and running, and will retain a stake in its success. • Licensing Deals involve identifying a suitable commercial partner to license the underlying IP for their own product and service lines. This arrangement can help to accelerate the project with significant funding and resources, and ideally enables the academic to continue developing fundamental research in exchange for royalties, depending on the terms of the agreement.

Metasonics are developing ‘acoustic metamaterial’ technology that can dynamically shape, direct and focus soundwaves in real time, offering unprecedented control over how an audience hears sound within a space. The technology, which has a range of applications from the creative industries to exhibition spaces, was showcased for the first time at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. A spinout company was formed in October 2018, and Metasonics was named a ‘Rising Star’ by Tech Nation last month. www.metasonics.co.uk InterAnalysis was founded by three Economics lecturers who were building a software tool for the UK government around their framework for modelling international trade agreements. The University agreed a joint ownership stake in the spinout company and TradeSift Pro was launched in 2012. InterAnalysis continues to operate as a software and trade consultancy business, based at the Sussex Innovation Centre. www.tradesift.com

WEST SUSSEX TECH EXPO!

DATE Thursday 13th June 2019 TIME FOR EVENT 10:00am - 3:00pm EVENT DESTINATION Butlins Upper Bognor Road Bognor Regis PO21 1JJ

Over 60+ Exhibitors Great Opportunity to Network A who’s who of Business Leaders Centrally Located Loads of Free Parking Game Themed Exhibits Free Gift

7.30am – 8.00am Managing Director, Vinco Marketing

M JI

CUNL I FF

TT HUNT MA

8.15am – 8.45am Managing Director, Face Media Group

9.00am – 9.30am Co-Founder, The Protein Ball Co.

Web: netxp.co.uk - Tel: 01273 833 222 NetXP printing by

GUEST SPEAKERS

R IA HI LDI O T

H TC

*Be quick, the first 60 gain access to the Early Bird Speakers Breakfast.

NETWORKING

Time for tech and tennis Net XP’s West Sussex Tech Expo takes place next month with a focus on technology, innovation and tennis

et your strawberries and wide-brimmed hats ready on Thursday June 13th for a tennis-themed day at the West Sussex Tech Expo, held at Butlins, Bognor Regis. Not just for the tech geeks and professionals but for us mere mortals too, Net XP welcomes businesses from all industries, and it’s this diversity that guarantees an eclectic mix of local businesses, visitors, and speakers that are simply ace. Inspirational speakers this year include Victoria Hilditch, Jim Cunliffe and Matt Hunt. Victoria Hilditch, of Vinco Marketing, began her career in the hospitality industry as the Marketing Manager for the Dolphin Square residential complex in London, launching their luxury Moroccan inspired spa: Spa SW1. Victoria runs 360-degree marketing campaigns for brands such as Hilton, Boeing, Radisson Blu, Motorsport Association and Chris Hoy. Believing that strategy is just as important as design to deliver campaigns that work, Victoria combines years of

marketing experience with flair and creativity, alongside an appreciation for the need to stay ahead of the game with tech and digital mediums. Come and find out how she grew social media channels for Love Bognor Regis - a tourism platform for Bognor Regis - to 25,000 followers in just eight months. Jim Cunliffe, of Face Media Group, is a prolific networker, small business mentor, and a supporter of anything ‘community’. An ambassador for the National Apprenticeship Service and Young Enterprise on the South Coast, Jim was recently elected Area Leader (Sussex) for the Federation of Small Businesses for 2019-2021. Though clearly very busy, and with the wish to duplicate himself to get more done, Jim loves to encourage entrepreneurial spirit in everyone he meets. When it comes to print and branding, there’s nothing Jim doesn’t know about quality design, ink on paper, promotional gifts and branded clothing.

ied ‘International Marketing’ in Scotland and Sweden and lived abroad for 20 years. In 2001 Matt met his wife, Hayley, in an Irish bar in Barcelona and the rest, they say, is history. After the success of their first brand OLOVES, the husband and wife team moved back to the UK and started production of The Protein Ball Co in October 2015. The company makes protein snacks and is based in Worthing, West Sussex. All our speakers have been handpicked to share their wisdom, stories and knowledge with you. Our events are designed to be fun and provide a fantastic networking experience with over 60 local businesses. Give yourself an advantage and join us at the West Sussex Tech Expo! Visit www.netxp.co.uk or contact the Events Director for more information on 01273 833222.

Matt Hunt, of The Protein Ball Co, stud-

AL EX KI ER NA N

Loch Associates

M A D R IA N w

N cC LIN TO

nce to annou n e pleased offi Coffin M n Mew is Adrian joined C ffi o C alfirm Partner. on speci ast law Clinton to a property litigati landlord South E Leading drian Mc s d A a n f a o o g s, n a o te oti ars pu the prom ton office two ye f real estate dis o righ perience Mew’s B ex ve si n ex te ist with griculture e firm’s A nt law. ead of th and tena rty Litiga h e , p h ls ro a P d kW ly forme ntr y. The with Dere u ew n o g c in a e rk w th o gro ew ncross He will b sector, to esses, pe terests a Business ng clients with in al property busin a wide & Rural in ti ti n n s e se d se si re es rep nd re busin tion team mercial a and agri s for com , landed estates team act rs e s. rm te ds, fa dispu sion fun y- related f propert variety o

/ ST NATA LI E BU TT Creaseys

EV EN WIF FE N

st Small Comed as the 80 th Be the Creaseys was list ent. Building on lem pp su Earlier this year, es Tim ent in the Sunday de a couple of rec ma ve pany to Work for ha y the ber, ng that culture, started in Novem tt Bu success of creati ie tal Na senior team. ed and a so hires boosting the . She is STEP qualifi to Carley Partnership Trusts experience of nt ou joining from The am ge and brings a hu licitor by training team. the Private Client s been since PWC, where he ha s this month from ence to the team eri exp x Ta Steven Wiffen join e tat nificant Real Es ys. 1993. He adds sig ctitioners at Crease of ex Big Four pra and joins the list

Group

At Loch Associa tes Group we are celebrating the pro Kiernan to Equit motion of Alex y Partner of Loch Employment Law. Alex’s continued This reflects contribution to the business since he as a trainee over first started seven years ago, an d his success on to Partnership’ we the ‘Pathway provide for our law yers. Alex is also makin g the move to ou r Group’s Brighton the expansion of office to lead the Loch Employm ent Law team wit the wider Sussex hin the city and community.

Movers M A R K FI LS E

Knill James

LL / G EO RG E

C L AYS O N

Lewes- based accountancy and business has promoted advisor y firm Mark Filsell (p Knill James ictured above) George Clayso to Partner and n as Associate appointed Director. Mark joined Kn ill James in 20 06 and advises from OMBs to large groups many diverse on issues rang clients corporate gove ing from statu rnance and bu tory audit to siness planning experience in . He also has the charity, ind extensive ependent scho ol and academ y sectors. George joins Knill James fo llowing 18 year 20 years’ expe s at Mazars. He rience in corp has over orate finance specialises in and due dilige strategic and nce, and business advic ing companie e to start- ups s. and grow-

MOVERS & SHAKERS

D LY DI A BU NYAR nagement Platinum Event Ma

med Lydia s recently welco Management ha Director in the nts Eve the ist Platinum Event ass to s including m. Lydia’s role is Bunyard to its tea st business award South East’s large ess Awards, sin Bu x sse Su s, organisation of the ard Hove Business Aw x New Homes The Brighton and brand -new Susse Awards, and the Surrey Business Awards. of East Anglia, at the University nt Management Eve ustry with an d ind die CE stu MI g the vin Ha used in 500 people s always been foc to ha r up ree for ca ces ia’s Lyd nferen lio organising co Korea. rtfo uth po al So d on an ati i, intern Duba including, Athens, s trie un co s iou in var

Shakers

JA N ET RA EB UR

Rix & Kay

Rix & Kay have ap pointed new Fami ly and Divorce law burn, who joins as yer, Janet RaePartner and will be based in the firm in Uckfield. Jane ’s Family Team t was previously Partner at a leadin where she practis g firm in Suffolk ed for eight years before deciding to her home county move back to of Sussex where she originally traine d. With almost ten years experience in family and div specialises in all orce law, Janet legal aspects of divorce and separa ticular expertise tion with parin managing and negotiating comp tlements, and res lex financial setolving disputes rel ating to all aspec life and disputes ts of a child’s involving significa nt property assets .

Welcome to our first instalment of the latest appointments and promotions across the business world; see who’s doing what and where, including the ones to watch How do you cut through the white noise of recruitment? You lower the volume. At Harvey John, recruitment is far from a transactional service. It’s about fostering long-term partnerships within our core markets. Quality over quantity. Specialising in Accountancy, Tax, and Legal since 2004, Harvey John are an international recruitment firm with two offices in the heart of Brighton and a team of 15 individual skill-sets, each united by a shared vision of how recruitment should be. By immersing ourselves in every corner of these markets, we maintain an incredibly niche expertise, enabling us to simplify the most complex of searches. And whether that assignment takes us across Sussex, London, Europe, Asia, or the Americas, our deep sector knowledge - paired with our multi-faceted methodology - means that we provide local solutions on a global scale. And so, by lowering the volume, we strip ourselves from unnecessary pressures and, in turn, become a trusted partner to companies worldwide. Contact us Tel: 01273 820808 Email: info@harveyjohn.com www.harveyjohn.com

H E LE N M E

DMH Stalla

A D / A B IG A

IL M A IN O

Top law firm DMH Stalla rd recently nificant appo made two intments to senior and its growing the latest ad very sigGuildford oﬃ dition to the ce. Helen M expanding Maino has ead is re joined the ou gional M&A tstanding em te ployment gr am and Abigail oup. Helen was previously head ed as being one the mos of corporate at asb la w and is re t mergers an gard d acquisition accomplished law yers in the Sout s sector. h East Considered by gail has a su Chamber & Partners as perb reputa an ‘associa tion te to watch the South Ea ’, Abist, and her fo with businesses and in dividuals ac cus on Surre firm’s highly ro -respected y is set to fu employmen rther enhanc ss t offer acro e the ss the region .

A perspective view of Queensway

CRAWLEY THE WEST SUSSEX TOWN WITH A MULTI-MILLION POUND MAKEOVER

A thriving town at the heart of the Gatwick Diamond – one of the country’s easiest places to set up and run a business in Europe, according to World Bank – the economy here is made up of hi-tech sectors: STEM, creative industries, life sciences, and the transport sectors. Large multinationals to start-ups have based themselves here including Virgin Atlantic, Elekta, Varian, Thales, Boeing Flight Services, Philips, and Nestle, to name but a few. With regeneration on its agenda and a CRAWLEY IN NUMBERS...

10th most productive place in the UK

CRAWLEY IN NUMBERS...

6th highest UK employment rate with 1.26 ratio of jobs to population aged 16-64

track record for delivering a great quality of life, Crawley’s ambition to become a dynamic investment hotspot, as well as a diverse retail and leisure destination, is well underway. The regeneration programme has seen fantastic improvements to public spaces such as the £3.2m improvements to Queen Square; the completion of the paving at Queensway; along with the renovation of Crawley Museum, situated in the town’s oldest building, The

“

Tree. Furthermore, key sites currently underway include the Town Hall, Central Sussex College, Telford Place and Station Gateway. At a recent Crawley Investment event, Chief Executive of Crawley Borough Council, Natalie Brahma-Pearl, said: “We want to be regarded as the South Korea of the south-east.” “We are more advanced than most areas in terms of digital connectivity and that’s what will drive business; how CRAWLEY IN NUMBERS...

25% of GVA Crawley contributes to West Sussex with just 2% of land

“

ocated halfway between London and Brighton, Crawley is one of the UK’s most resilient and strongest performing town economies; it ranks in the top 10 for the number of patent registrations and is the highest for employment of town economies in the UK.

“It’s great to see such a positive and collaborative response to the regeneration of the town we call home. We’re proud to support Crawley Borough Council, together with West Sussex County Council, in their ambitions to transform this thriving town into a hub for business, with a vibrant community at its heart.” Stephen Oliver, Partner at Vail Williams LLP

“

FOCUS ON CRAWLEY

“

Commercial confidence in Crawley has always been strong but the last few years has seen exponential growth, both through development, business and investor interest. Many exciting plans are underway or in the pipeline and represent multi-million pounds of investments from both the public and private sector. Cllr Peter Smith, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development

Gigabit Success

A successful bid to keep more business rates in West Sussex, supported by Crawley Borough Council, will enable residents and businesses to access gigabit broadband. The bid to keep 75% of business rates collected in West Sussex – instead of the current 50% – was one of 15 successful applications out of 35 nationwide.

CRAWLEY IN NUMBERS...

2nd highest UK weekly earnings

Crawley High Street in 1922

fast you can work.”

A SHORT HISTORY

Crawley’s regeneration was kick-started by a £14.6m cash injection from Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership, match funded by Crawley Borough Council and West Sussex County Council. Jonathan Sharrock, Chief Executive at Coast to Capital, said: “Many international businesses have based their UK and European operations near the airport in Crawley, which is crucial to the economic prosperity of the Coast to Capital area.

With a population of a few hundred, Crawley was only a small town, however, the discovery of Brighton by the Prince Regent made Crawley an ideal place to rest on the journey from London, and the town rapidly developed to cope with the demand.

Crawley began as a Saxon village with its ﬁ rst mention in 1203, when a licence to hold a weekly market was granted, transforming the area into a small market town. From 1279 an annual fair was held, attracting buyers and sellers from far and wide. Craftsmen such as brewers, bakers, blacksmiths and carpenters would have been present, with food and livestock for sale.

The arrival of the railway in the 1840s killed off the coaching trade, but it made Crawley more accessible, and brought a surge in population. The town prospered during Victorian times with the sale of former estates making land more available, with around 900 new houses being built between the wars.

“We are delighted to have contributed £14.6 million Local Growth Funding towards the Crawley Growth programme and a variety of improvements have already taken place to boost the infrastructure in the area. Going forward, we will continue to champion Crawley as a thriving urban centre and we look forward to working closely with partners on future plans for development.” CRAWLEY IN NUMBERS...

30,000

number of jobs in Manor Royal Business Improvement District

The nine-storey Town Hall regeneration site

Crawley town centre CRAWLEY MUSEUM In 2013 the council were awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund of £1.15m to provide a new museum for Crawley. The Crawley Museum – located in the town centre’s oldest building, The Tree – opened to visitors in July 2018 and has been sensitively restored, preserving the Grade II listed building whilst improving Crawley’s heritage.

To Gatwick

T h e B o u leva r d

A snapshot of town centre development sites and project updates Pe g l e

r Way

QUEENS SQUARE This award-winning scheme has redefined Queens Square as the heart of the town centre, creating a high-quality and enjoyable public space. Works have included the relocation of the bandstand, new paving in the main square and alleyways on either side of the Pavilion, improved lighting, seating, and landscaping including a decorative water feature in the central plaza.

KEY: Project completed Project underway Project planned

C R AW hS

tre

To Horsham

gle

Hig

sle

S t atio

n Ro a

v tA

STATION GATEWAY Outline plans to demolish Overline House and transform Crawley Railway Station and the surrounding area have been granted. Comprising 308 high-quality studios and apartments, the scheme will deliver a new, integrated train station with an attractive station plaza, retail/coffee shops, business space and a multi-deck car park.

S tati

To Brighton

o n Way

FOCUS ON CRAWLEY

regeneration

TOWN HALL Plans for a new Town Hall, offices, flats, a public square and restaurant/café were approved in June 2018. The proposals for the major redevelopment at the eastern end of The Boulevard will see the current Town Hall demolished and replaced with up to 182 flats, a nine-storey building containing a new Town Hall, commercial offices and a new public square.

Nor thga

t e Av

To M23

T h e B o u leva r d

C o lle g e Ro a d

CRAWLEY COLLEGE In partnership with Chichester College Group, planning for 90 flats on a Crawley College carpark was granted to Arcus PDC in May 2016. One and two bed apartments are being constructed over a part eight and part six story construction, with parking and landscaping.

Q u e e n s way

WLEY QUEENSWAY Crawley Borough Council and West Sussex County Council are investing £2.2m to continue the high-quality, awardwinning improvements seen in Queens Square along Queensway, The Pavement and Kingsgate. This second phase of regeneration aims to establish Queensway as an important and informal town centre space. Construction is expected to be completed by October 2019.

TELFORD PLACE for future development Crawley Borough have announced Clarion Housing Group as its preferred development partner to deliver 313 new homes on Telford Place. These will be a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments on the 1.85 acre site, which is currently used as a temporary car park.

S t ation W

S o u th g at e

Ave n u e

H a s l e t t Av e

To Brighton

Gate expectations Frontier Pitts, British manufacturer of security solutions, introduce their latest Platinum Gate range

range with Security Ratings of 2 and 3 includes:

alongside LPS1175 security rated fence lines. By testing and upgrading certain elements on all models of their Automatic Security Gates, Frontier Pitts is now pleased to bring to the market the

• Platinum Sliding Gate up to 10m wide • Platinum Bi-folding Gate: double leaf up to 10m wide, single leaf up to 5m wide • Platinum Hinged Gate: double leaf up to 10m wide, single leaf up to 5m wide • Platinum Pedestrian Gate: fully automatic, semi-automatic, manual operation The Platinum range joins their large portfolio of high security products, further bridging the gap between Frontier Pitts Security Range and their High Security Anti-Terra IWA14/PAS68 impact tested products, enhancing their accreditations further. They offer the complete solution for all mob attack scenarios and crowded place, public realm venues.

s the market leader of perimeter security equipment, Frontier Pitts are constantly identifying the ever-changing security threats, and have further developed their Automatic High Security Gate portfolio to provide an Intruder Resistant “Platinum” range, successfully proven to resist attack to LPS1175 (Loss Prevention Standard). The LPS1175 Platinum Gate range has been developed over the past two years by the Research and Development team, headed by Frontier Pitts’ BIM (Building Information Modelling) specialist. Many clients had been installing unrated security gates that had not been tested

first complete LPS1175 Anti-Intruder Gate Range, introducing another perimeter security layer to the security onion. The Platinum Automatic Security Gate

FOCUS ON CRAWLEY

THE GATWICK DIAMOND REGION

A jewel in the South East’s property crown Stephen Oliver, partner at Gatwick-based property advisers, Vail Williams LLP, shares his views on what to expect from the property market in one of the region’s premier business districts

t might not get the same level of attention as its Thames Valley neighbour, but Crawley and the wider Gatwick region has some of the most exciting office and industrial property opportunities in the South East currently. Boasting one of the region’s premier business parks at Manor Royal, and with transport infrastructure connecting the town to London every two minutes, the Gatwick Diamond region has become one of the most saleable property and job locations in the country. With jobs here projected to rise by 45,000 over the next decade (20122022) and more and more large corporates looking to join the likes of Nestlé, Elekta, Virgin and Deloitte in making this region home, what can we expect from the office and industrial property market here? There remains a good level of supply in the Gatwick area, in particular in the Manor Royal District, for top-quality Grade A office space where rents are reaching £27.00 psf in places. And there are some exciting new office developments on the horizon too. Indeed, such is the demand that some deals are being done on a pre-let basis prior to development, like at Nexus Gatwick Road where, on the advice of Vail Williams, Surrey County Council preleased 170,000 sq ft to L3 Technologies. In recent months the area saw one of

Diamond Point, Fleming Way, Crawley

the largest office lets when, advised by Vail Williams, Regus took a 15-year lease from private real estate investors, Clearbell at Churchill Court, on 28,000 sq ft of Grade A space. For the occupier, investor concern around the dreaded ‘B’ word means that there are, in fact, still good deals to be done - particularly where older refurbished buildings are involved. When it comes to industrial and warehouse supply, there have been fantastic opportunities in older buildings which have undergone complete refurbishment, such as at Diamond Point in Crawley, where worldwide leader in flight simulation and training, CAE, took up occupation.

home. With planning, acquisition and development advice from Vail Williams, the world’s leading oncology R&D specialist, Elekta, made Manor Royal their 110,000 sq ft home after a four-year design and build project. As big brands continue to seek out this area for its excellent national and international connectivity, potential occupiers should be mindful of this Gatwick Diamond jewel, as it has the potential to appreciate in value in the blink of an eye.

For further information, please visit www.vailwilliams.com @vailwilliams

And this isn’t the only high-profile business to have already made the area

Categories 1

DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR (MORE THAN 20 HOMES)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR (LESS THAN 20 HOMES)

AFFORDABLE NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR

RETIREMENT DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR

ARCHITECT OF THE YEAR

REGENERATION PROJECT OF THE YEAR

LUXURY HOME OF THE YEAR

MARKETING CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR

ESTATE AGENCY OF THE YEAR

CONVERSION OF THE YEAR

INTERIOR DESIGN OF THE YEAR

LANDSCAPE DESIGN OF THE YEAR

SMART HOME OF THE YEAR

DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR

Chair of Judges Paul Zara, BSC (HONS) DIP ARCH RIBA FRSA Partner – Conran and Partners South East Chair - RIBA

“I am very much looking forward to chairing these awards. Housing is such a key issue at the moment and a lot of people are working hard to design and deliver places for people not just to live, but to thrive. The awards are a chance to celebrate excellence and to recognise the talent that we have in Sussex…”

SUS SE X

NEW HOME S AWARDS HHHHH

PROPER T Y DE VELOPMEN T • CONS TRUC TION • ARCHI TEC T URE & DE SIGN ES TATE AGENTS • INTERIOR DESIGN • L ANDSC APE • SMART HOMES

This brand-new event is an exciting platform for the entire South East property sector to showcase many of the excellent new build developments and projects To ﬁnd out more about sponsorship opportunities, contact: Maarten Hoffmann | maarten@platinumpublishing.co.uk

OPEN FOR ENTRIES ENTRY DEADLINE JUNE 26th 2019

AWARDS CEREMONY OCTOBER 10th 2019 | HILTON BRIGHTON METROPOLE

TO VIEW CATEGORIES AND DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORMS

VISIT WWW.SUSSEXNEWHOMESAWARDS.COM PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Jo teaching Pilates as a form of rehabilitation

Broken to brilliant Bridgeham Clinic, located in the heart of Manor Royal, takes patients on a ‘broken to brilliant’ journey with a unique approach to rehabilitation and wellbeing Describe Bridgeham Clinic

Bridgeham Clinic is led by husband and wife team, Jo and Trevor Strutt. Trevor’s father originally set up the clinic in 1993 from his home at Bridgeham Grange in Smallfield. The clinic has moved and steadily grown, but still retains the family friendly feel that is so important to Jo and Trevor. The clinic is a multidisciplinary centre specialising in musculoskeletal medicine, offering osteopathy, Pilates & Garuda machine and mat-work sessions, massage, acupuncture, nutrition, foot health, hypnotherapy and Pranic healing.

What are the clinic’s specialist areas?

We take time to listen, formulating a

treatment plan with the patient. We observe that patients are most likely to fully recover when they understand what is going on in their body. Our osteopaths specialise in diagnosing and explaining what is needed for an effective personalised treatment plan. We integrate osteopathy with prescriptive Pilates sessions to aid a successful “broken to brilliant” journey. Posture awareness and advice for everyday activities makes such a difference to the success of treatment. Our mat classes are restricted to 12 so we can ensure everyone gets personal attention.

What led Jo and Trevor to their professions?

Jo has a background in dance and musical theatre in London’s West End. An

accident forced a career change and her passion for movement and recovering from injury is what drives her in her current role teaching Pilates and Garuda. Trevor has a background in sport and fitness. Both he and Jo have first-hand experience of back problems and of recovery without needing surgery. They know what it feels like when it hurts! This personal experience and being trained by an exceptional third-generation osteopath helped Trevor to develop his passion for taking patients on a successful “broken to brilliant” journey.

What should patients expect from the space?

Bridgeham provides a professional

FOCUS ON CRAWLEY service in a warm and friendly environment. The clinic is modern, light and airy, and is known locally as the building “with the skeletons on”. We expanded from one to five treatment rooms, and then added a machine Pilates and Movement studio to the business within six months. Managing that expansion has been our biggest challenge. We benefit from a marvellous Manor Royal location – before and after work, and lunchtime Pilates classes are popular for local employees in the area and we offer a BID discount.

Here is what one patient said about coming to Bridgeham: “I have been doing Pilates at Bridgeham for four years and the difference it has made to my body with regard to strength and movement has been incredible. I started classes to improve a chronic low back problem and it hasn’t just improved it, Pilates has fixed it! What Jo does through her classes helps you understand how your body works. This in turn helps you stay fit and healthy and improves your flexibility and strength.

tients to the most suitable practitioner in-house, and all practitioners work towards the same outcome for each patient. We also have two Garuda PiBridgeham is a one-stop health and lates Machines (the only ones you’ll wellbeing clinic. We use the protocols find in the Gatwick Diamond area) that of neutralise, stabilise, mobilise. In this help you move in way we can plan ways you never a treatment path“We potentially thought possiway for a succhange people’s lives ble! cessful outcome for each patient. – physically, mentally Aches, pains and emotionally, and and niggles are In osteopathy, the patient expe- sometimes spiritually” worth catching before they turn riences handsinto big problems! Low back aches, on treatment from their practitioner to stiff knees and ankle joints, hip reassist alignment into the right position. placement preparation and recovery The use of Pilates machine equipment along with knee surgery can all be within the treatment rooms encouragsupported at Bridgeham. Neck and es patients’ nervous systems to ‘learn’ shoulder pains can be eradicated, and these new positions. we can give posture awareness tips for whatever you do on a daily basis. Bridgeham osteopaths can refer pa-

What is unique about the clinic’s methods?

Jo has an incredible understanding of the body and personalises exercises within the class to help specific problem areas. I work as a GP and cannot recommend Bridgeham clinic highly enough. I believe Pilates is the answer to a whole host of muscular skeletal problems as well as improving your strength, flexibility and wellbeing. If you are thinking of starting Pilates classes, look no further!”

What is Bridgeham’s approach to general health and wellbeing?

Bridgeham takes a holistic approach. Acupuncture, for example, helps with a wide range of acute and chronic health conditions as well as managing levels of energy throughout the seasons. Our other supporting services, such as nutrition, hypnotherapy and Pranic healing complement our mechanical treatments. Our goal is to introduce our “Broken to Brilliant Wellbeing” packages to more families and businesses in Crawley and Manor Royal. We potentially change people’s lives – physically, mentally and emotionally, and sometimes spiritually. A patient who needed back surgery has just returned from climbing Mount Kilimanjaro – pain free. Helping people to find freedom from pain and from movement patterns that cause discomfort is an absolute pleasure and a joy for us, and we are blessed that our jobs are so rewarding. We love sharing our knowledge and love meeting people who wish to learn how to make everlasting changes for the better.

For further information or to book an appointment, please call 01293 542245. www.bridgehamclinic.com Trevor treating a patient in an osteopathy session

Fast track to success The management team took full ownership of the FASTSIGNS franchise in Crawley in late 2018. Melanie Martinez is excited about the future of the business centre within the Manor Royal Business District.

ith nearly 70 years experience in the sign industry working at FASTSIGNS, there can be little that Melanie Martinez, Jose Martinez and Alan White don’t know about the business. So when the opportunity arose to take on a management buyout, the co-workers didn’t hesitate, as Melanie explains... We have always loved our jobs and over the years we have represented the company as though it was our own, however when it finally is yours it’s a wonderful feeling and the enthusiasm fuels you. The reaction and support we have received from our customers when we have shared our news with them really has been quite overwhelming, particularly from those based locally, close to our

Between us we have nearly 70 years of experience working for FASTSIGNS so buying the centre ourselves was always our long-term goal. Murat our sign maker has also been with the Crawley centre for 20 years and I think our longevity is testament to the genuine enjoyment and passion we all feel for the business we love and know so well. I was the first employee at the Crawley centre in 1995 with Alan joining me in 1998. Jose was the first FASTSIGNS employee in the UK at the pilot store in New Malden in 1993. Over the years as employees, we have been able to focus on our own roles as well as developing our knowledge in every aspect of the business. This preparation has put us in the perfect position to take on the challenge of ownership.

“Our longevity is testament to the genuine enjoyment and passion we all feel for the business we love and know so well”

This is an extremely exciting time for us all, we know the business inside out and are taking on our new venture with a genuine passion for what we do. We

Fastsigns International Inc. provides custom sign and graphics products, across the globe, and is at the forefront of the sign industry. There are currently over 700 Fastsigns locations worldwide in United States, Canada, the UK, the Cayman Islands, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Chile and Australia (under the name Signwave). The Sussex centre benefits from the support network, resources and economies of scale offered by a multi-national group, as well the local knowledge of the Crawley owner-managers.

plan to take FASTSIGNS to the next level, with the years of experience we have behind us as well as being blessed logistically, situated in the heart of the Gatwick Diamond we feel everything needed is in place to enable us to achieve our goals. This year started very well for us with the rebranding of the stadium at Crawley Town Football Club, where we are a main sponsor and signage partner.

FOCUS ON CRAWLEY The Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pension also located in Manor Royal are the new stadium sponsor and working on their signage was a fantastic way to begin our year. We are confident that the future is bright for FASTSIGNS Crawley with new clients on the horizon as well as building on the existing relationships we have with our customers. We consider ourselves incredibly lucky to have clients dating back the full 24 years we have been trading, this is something we are extremely proud of as we pride ourselves on providing a top level of customer service. Signage is ever evolving and we are looking forward to the opportunity of showcasing some really innovative products, there is always something new to explore within the sign industry. The three of us really could not be more excited about what 2019 will bring!

Signage at the Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pension Stadium, home of Crawley Town FC

For any one wishing to know a little bit more about what FASTSIGNS can offer please pop in to see us at Unit 2, Bank Precinct, Gatwick Road, Crawley, RH10 9RF, call us on 01293 520776 or visit www.fastsigns.com/854

ed signs and Vehicle Graphics FASTSIGNS can provide many more innovative products. These include Digital Signage, Stationery, Bespoke items, Wall Graphics, Monoliths and much more.

As well as core signage such as Fascias, Banners, Exhibition Graphics, Illuminat-

A lifelong passion for motoring Mike Harris, Head of Fleet Sales JLR at Harwoods Group, has spent all his adult life in automotive retail, and he is as passionate today as when he started out on his career. Interview by Ian Trevett

n that gloriously long, nevfor the first time. Mike says, “I always er-ending summer between had an ambition to become a Head of leaving school and starting Business. I knew that to be a general college, 16-year-old Mike Harris was ridmanager I also needed to understand ing his bike past a garage in Windleshhow fleet sales worked.” am in Surrey, when a sign caught his attention - ‘Forecourt vacancy - Apply After picking up the award of Corpowithin’. Mike hopped off his bike and rate Manager of the Year for Honda, applied and so he moved across “On our fleet and began a lifeto the Jaguar long love affair business sales, 99.5% dealership within with the motor the same group. of cars are still diesel. Within two years business. The Jaguar Land Rover he picked up an“I became a other award - this forecourt at- diesels are the cleanest time Jaguar Fleet tendant for the Salesperson of diesels out there” summer,” rethe Year. calls Mike. “I would fill up the petrol, and check engine oil and tyres. I loved Mike achieved his ambition of being a that job as I got to chat to customers Dealer Principal for Harwood Jaguar all day long.” Land Rover (JLR), where he stayed until 2013. when JLR started Corporate When the school holidays came to a Dealer Programme. close, he ditched college and accepted an offer from the garage to move into “I now run a significant JLR fleet divisales: “I moved into the showroom as sion. At Harwoods Jaguar Land Rover an apprentice, selling British Leyland Fleet, we have just had a record March.” cars; my first sale was a 1977 Austin Allegro.” It is a refreshing good news story in the motor industry, especially as we only Mike sales journey took him to a Honda hear the doom and gloom about Brexdealership in 1990 and in the mid 1990s it supply chains and the worries of the he moved into business and fleet sales Chinese economy.

The state of the leasing market Q&A with Mike Harris We only hear bad news in the press about the motoring industry, so how have you achieved a record quarter in 2019? The key is that we have a good number of business customers. We also deal with Corporate customers and SME’s large and small. Also we have multiple routes to market. We have our own leasing channels, we partner with small leasing companies and then we are the preferred supplier for a number of the big players in the leasing market. What are the main trends in how people source their vehicles? The trend is still moving towards leasing. Companies rarely buy cars now as they don’t want the upfront outlay and depreciating assets on their book. Companies will either provide lease cars for their staff or offer a car allowance to employees who can then lease privately from us. There has also been a cultural change. Younger generations are used to payas-you-go and have direct debits for

Jaguar E-Pace

Land Rover Evoque

FOCUS ON CRAWLEY The diesels we use are super clean and don’t produce the levels of NOx that old diesels pumped out. The problem was with old vans or taxis. Clean diesels can still get clobbered by taxes, but it is a good fuel.

their phones, rental accommodation and TV streaming, and they are very comfortable leasing cars. As a result, you often see young people driving newer cars than you may expect as the leasing is affordable. Are people put off leasing due to the tax implications? This isn’t a big factor as the taxation is actually very straightforward. You just treat a company car as a benefit and the tax code is changed accordingly. You do have to pay more in tax but you are getting a fully expensed company car. The overheads of running a car are likely to be significantly more than the extra you’d pay in tax. Do you see more people leasing aspirational brands such as Jaguars rather than traditional ﬂeet cars? Lease rental is based on number of key factors. The purchase price is important but equally important is the residual value. You can often lease a premium car for not much more than a non-premium. This plays to our strengths as we have affordable aspirational brands. Have you seen a move towards electric and hybrid vehicles? It is certainly the future. The Jaguar

Electric cars are the future but the infrastructure is still lacking. If you are going to Manchester you have to plan a charging stop.

Mike Harris

I-Pace (reviewed in issue 57 of Platinum) won the What Car of Year Readers’ Awards 2018 and World Car of the Year for 2019. They are incredible cars. From 2020, all JLR new cars will have some form of alternative propulsion. The hybrid versions of the new Evoque plus the Jaguar XE and XF will be very, very good as hybrids. However, it is the future. For Quarter One 2019, on our fleet and business sales, 99.5% of cars are still diesel. The JLR diesels are very clean, with some engines so clean they avoid the HMRC 4% BIK supplement! Dieselgate was all about particles and NOx (nitrogen oxides) and the pollution in cities.

Jaguar F-Type

Jaguar XE

Range Rover Sport

Jaguar I-Pace

You have been with Harwoods for a long time. What is it about the company that appeals? It is a great company to work for. Harwoods has been going since 1931. Its a family concern and the directors are FOR ALL YOUR FLEET very much involved. They are massive AND BUSINESS DRIVING employer with almost 1,000 employees in the region. We have very loyal customers. I’m one of the lucky people in that I really love my job. I am one phone call away from the board, and the decision-making is very fast. And we are still growing. We just been appointed as a McClaren dealership in our New Forest region, which is great news for the group.

HARWOODS FLEET SERVICES www.harwoods.uk.com MANOR ROYAL, CRAWLEY, WEST SUSSEX, RH10 9LW mike.harris@harwoods.uk.com 01293 439013

NEEDS

Changing face

of how we work

Freedom Works, the creative, flexible co-working hub, has opened a new space at the Crawley Business Quarter, Manor Royal. We hear from its founder, Jon Trigg, on why co-working is the new way to work

And none more so in the way we praces he outlined in practical terms have ill Gates published an interesttically work. Technology has enabled been adopted by many global corpoing book called ‘Business at the us to work remotely, with more flexible rations, governments and SME’s to Speed of Thought; Succeeding hours releasing the mentality of being evolve the way we work, compared to in the Digital Economy’, nearly 20 years chained to the desk. The growth of 20 years ago. No more faxes, and files ago. The book, written by one of the co-working and communicommercial pioneers of the digital revolution, was really “The growth of co-working and ty-based hubs and clusters is systematic of our changing a call to arms to businesses community-based hubs and attitudes to how we work from leaders, management and clusters is systematic of our both employers and the workexecutives on how they could transform their business with changing attitudes to how we force. technology. His statement at the turn of the millennium work from both employers and Co-working has become the latest ‘hot topic’ in the busiwas that most businesses the workforce” ness commercial premises were only realising 20% of the world, and why has this way of working of paperwork, Agile software and the benefit technology could afford them. changed the market so significantly? A Cloud are part of the way we work, and His focuses were on customer/partner recent JLL Report cited that the tradithe movement and access to labour, processes, employee management and tional-leased office market is growing resources, partners, and customers processes. by just 1% year on year to 2022, whilst being global, are all benefits of our co-working/flexible office market businesses and economies working at Whether you have read the book or not, growth is at 30%. the ‘Thought of Speed’. many of the suggestions and processFreedom Works, a Sussex-based coworking and flexible office brand have opened up four workspaces in little over a 24-month period, on what has been a phenomenal trajectory fuelled by demand. “People want to work locally and can,” explains Jon Trigg, Founder and MD of Freedom Works. “We have nearly 1,000 businesses within the community and by the end of 2019 we’ll have over 1,500.” Community is the key word. Technology has come full circle in being an enabler for freelancers, micro-businesses and SME’s to work in shared environments – where the human nature of working amongst each other has provided wider benefits.

FOCUS ON CRAWLEY

to mixed development - driven by ‘work “Collaboration is key to why people and Redhill, and CoHub in Eastbourne. where you live’ - has allowed planners stay in our spaces,” states Trigg. “The “Our view is that shared workspaces to design a new format of town cenco-working and flexible office modhousing local business communities tres, which will provide a bustling new el is a market disrupter, as we do not will become the norm in the next few centre to Gatwick’s nearest tie people into leases or licences… it’s a truly agile “Co-working and shared spaces town. way of having a place to not only offer a roof over your Technology has changed the work from. But the key to it is our members stay be- head but a place to do business” way we work for the good, alcause it works for them. lowing us to work locally, in communities where we collaborate, years. The benefit is huge; collaborabringing the heart back into the towns “People collaborate with their neightion, a strain off our overloaded roads we spend our leisure time in, and in bours. Co-working and shared spaces and rail network, and more importantly, short, improving our quality of life. not only offer a roof over your head but a better quality of life allowing homea place to do business,” further explains grown talent to remain at home,” conthe Brighton-based business man. cludes Trigg. Freedom Works have four spaces across Sussex. Gatwick opened in April 2019 (with 200-desk capacity), Chichester in January 2019 (with 90 desks), Worthing and Hove (both with 200 desks) in 2018 and 2016 respectively; all filled or filling in the case of the recently opened spaces. The changing way people are working is driving demand; Platform9 in Brighton & Hove have two vibrant work spaces near or at capacity, with other local providers such as CoTribe in Horley

Technology is an enabler and is allowing Sussex to work smarter, maintain its talent and provide friendly and co-operative spaces for new businesses to come to the South East. This fundamental change in the way we work has furthermore been a contributory factor into how towns in Sussex are changing, none more so than Crawley, in the heart of the Gatwick Diamond.

To find out more about Freedom Works flexible co-working space visit www.freedomworks.space or call 01293 368100

In what was a new town back in the 1960s with a core retail centre and very little town centre housing, the change

MANOR ROYAL

...STRENGTH IN NUMBERS Steve Sawyer, Executive Director of the Manor Royal BID, looks to the next five years at one of the biggest business districts in the south east

hen a business moves to the Manor Royal Business District, they become more than just another company on one the of the UK’s largest business parks. They become part of an organised business community intent on making a difference for themselves and their employees.

84% of all voting businesses voted to keep it going for another five years. So something must be going right in Crawley’s key commercial area. “Since businesses voted to renew the BID, we’ve been working hard to de-

liver on that mandate,” explains Steve Sawyer, Executive Director of the Manor Royal BID. “BID2 – as we call it – started in June 2018 and we’ve wasted no time getting on with delivering the Business Plan.”

Better first impressions

We all know that first impressions count and, with 24 million vehicle movements around the business district each year, the impact of getting

A Business Improvement District, or BID, is a global movement allowing businesses to collaborate to change the places they operate in. As a movement it started in a small Canadian village in 1970 and proved so successful other countries soon followed suit, including the UK. There are over 300 UK BIDs and the Manor Royal BID is the UK’s biggest non-retail BID. It was first created by a business vote in 2013 and subsequently renewed by another vote in 2018 when

Steve Sawyer with Joanne Rogers from Prowse & Co and headline sponsor Zoe Wright, B&CE at the Manor Royal Careers Expo

FOCUS ON CRAWLEY that wrong in Manor Royal is multiplied many times over. Gateway 1 is the area just off of the M23 and the busiest point of entry. Earlier this year, thanks to the renewed BID, a scheme to improve this important area was delivered and signalled the first major project of BID2. “I can’t say it was an easy project but we said we would deliver it – and we did,” Steve explains. “Key to success was close working with our partners through the Crawley Growth Programme, a multi-million pound project taking in key areas of the town. Having close relationships with the Councils and making sure Manor Royal is not forgotten is a key part of what the renewed BID is about.”

A brighter future

Hardly stopping for breath, the Manor Royal BID raced on to deliver their next project to help businesses promote themselves to the many hundreds of businesses and tens of thousands of employees located in Manor Royal, plus those people travelling through the area generating millions of vehicle movements each year. Roll on the Manor Royal Digital Advertising Signs project.

Know Your Neighbour event

visible locations with more to come, depending on the success of the pilot. If businesses in Manor Royal want additional screens, the BID will look to install more with an immediate intention to increase the number to six.

servicing, design agencies, pilot training, logistics, professional services and world-leading manufacturers of medical devices among those based on Manor Royal, there really is no shortage of options wherever you are in your career.

Help to recruit

New business

Things seem to be going well on Manor Royal with a host of new developments planned, including major new offices and much sought-after industrial buildings. In addition, a number of new companies have recently “Looking at ways the “Manor Royal is a catalyst for business made Manor Royal BID can help busitheir home including and employment attracting 30,000 nesses here, Trade Freedom Works, Regus, and Save is one of people to work there – of which 18,000 HESIS, H Ripley & Co the new objectives in on top of major expancome from outside the town” our Business Plan,” sions from indigenous says Steve. “When we looked we found companies like L3, CAE and Boeing. wherever you go in the Gatwick Diabusinesses had no way of advertising mond but in Manor Royal, the BID is doexcept on bus shelters, which for many It all goes to show that Crawley’s Maning its bit to make things a little easier was just too expensive.” or Royal Business District continues to and less costly. thrive and be a popular draw for staff, After much research the Manor Royal businesses and investors ably assisted Since it was renewed, the Manor RoyBID devised a project to design and and supported by the Manor Royal BID. al BID has committed to extending its install a series of digital advertising partnership with LoveLocalJobs.com screens at key locations throughout that allows Manor Royal companies to the business district, with the help of To find out more please visit post their vacancies on the Manor Roylocal company Avensys. www.manorroyal.org al Jobs Board for free. These screens will be managed by the Manor Royal BID, and Manor Royal companies benefit from special rates as a result of their commitment to renewing the BID to make Manor Royal a better place to work and trade. An innovative project that initially involves installing four screens at highly

Manor Royal is a catalyst for business and employment attracting 30,000 people to work there – of which 18,000 come from outside the town. Competition for talented people is intense

The stats are impressive, with 15 companies posting between 20-30 opportunities each month, not only saving companies money on job advertising but also helping to raise the profile of the Business District as a place to build and develop your career. With everything from pie making, to car

FOCUS ON CRAWLEY

A sound approach We talk to Avensys, the South’s largest independent audio visual specialist, on why being located in the heart of the Gatwick Diamond is proving great for business Describe your business

Avensys is one of the leading audio visual companies in the South East. Based on Manor Royal Business District - the biggest business park of the Gatwick Diamond - it has grown into a £5m award-winning business, specialising in highly technical and innovative installations for commercial, events and consumer retail environments. With the introduction of the Home Technology and Home Appliance category to our award-winning retail superstore in 2014, Avensys has become a one stop shop for home electricals. Markus Wood, Founder and Managing Director, says Avensys’ success has been a combination of identifying future trends in the industry, developing great relationships and a lot of hard work.

What makes you unique?

Our audio visual heritage and 20 years experience in the industry makes us unique. We have direct relationships with all the world’s biggest brands, which means we are not only in a position to negotiate preferential pricing, but we can often get access to technical support and exclusive products direct from the manufacturer. As a family owned business we have made considerable investment in growth and continue to see strong year on year results.

Avensys leads the industry with design, build, installation and management of audio visual solutions through our Commercial division as well as equipment hire, events and venue support through our Hire & Events division. We have the UK’s largest purpose-built smart home apartment on display at our Retail Superstore, showcasing the very latest technology from the world’s leading consumer and commercial brands. We also pride ourselves in our excellent team work, with highly skilled and knowledgeable teams, who operate with enthusiasm and a customer focused approach.

Why is Crawley a good place to do business?

Manor Royal is at the very heart of our

region in terms of commercial activity. The projects delivered by Manor Royal BID are primarily responsible for improving the district and we are delighted to support the work they do to bring a prosperous and sustainable environment to Manor Royal. The infrastructure here is continually developing to support our business, and from an internal point of view, the wellbeing of our staff is vital. For example we receive employee discounts from local businesses, have access to relevant training, and have managed recreation areas to enjoy during the warmer months.

What are your thoughts on the regeneration plans currently underway?

The work Crawley Borough Council are embarking on to sustainably regenerate the town centre is a great opportunity to develop Crawley’s full potential and we’re pleased to be involved in aspects of various retail, business and residential projects. Although our retail superstore is based outside the centre, we recognise the benefits the regeneration programme brings to the entire region. For further information on Commercial, Hire & Events or for the Head Office, call 01293 551585. For the Retail Superstore, call 01293 515050.

FOCUS ON CRAWLEY

Growing the pension pot The People’s Pension is introducing a new incentive this summer which will enable members to save thousands of pounds over their lifetime

Pensions and Financial Inclusion, said he was ‘pleased to see The People’s Pension taking this action to improve value for money for its members’ and encouraged all firms to look at what they can do to ensure they keep delivering value as the amounts saved continue to grow.

he People’s Pension is provided by a not-for-profit organisation that exists for the benefit of its members. Any profit we make is used to improve our products and service for our members. This summer we’ll switch from our already low-cost management charge of 0.5% per year to a banded pricing structure. Instead of a standard flat percentage charge, where savers pay a lot more in pounds and pence the more they save, our percentage charge will fall as a member’s pension pot grows, potentially saving them thousands of pounds over their lifetime. Following the announcement, Patrick Heath-Lay, CEO, said: “We led the auto-enrolment market by offering all

employers, whether large or small, the same uniform single charging structure for their employees, removing a sense of unfairness in industry charging practices. We’re taking this approach further by offering all members the same clear incentive to save for the long-term.” Guy

Opperman

MP,

Minister

for

Since 2012, The People’s Pension has grown to serve more than four million members from more than 85,000 employers across the UK, becoming one of the largest master trust workplace pension providers. Perfect for employers of all sizes, our scheme meets all the legal needs of auto-enrolment and provides a secure workplace pension solution supported by award-winning customer service.

Average earners’ pension savings could increase by almost £30,000 [i]

This summer our management charge will reduce as our members’ savings grow - down to as low as 0.2%

To find out more, visit our website www.thepeoplespension.co.uk/low-management-charge or speak to our expert Relationship Management Team on 01293 586666 option 1.

B & C E Financial Services Limited Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 9QP. Tel 0300 2000 555 Fax 01293 586801. Registered in England and Wales No. 2207140. To help improve our service we may record your call. B & C E Financial Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Ref: 122787. It acts as a distributor of, and an administrator for, pensions (including The People’s Pension Scheme), accident and death insurance and a range of financial welfare products.

[i] This modelling assumes earnings of £30,000 per annum (UK media full time annualised wage £29,588, ONS 2018), a timeframe of 45 years, contributions at 8% of qualifying earnings, investment returns of 5% per annum and inflation at 2.5% per annum. For the average earner the new charge structure could enable them to save an extra £54,535.60 compared to paying a flat rate AMC of 0.75%. For the average earner the new charge structure could enable them to save an extra £28,398.14 compared to The People’s Pension’s current flat-rate AMC of 0.5%.

AD XXXX XXXX.0319

For people, not profit

UNVEILED EST 1864

grandbrighton.co.uk

Shake Hands in

Austin, Texas 84

TRAVEL

Jeremy Taylor finds a warm and friendly Texan welcome - and great nightlife!

hen I speak of Texas, I’m invariably met by surprise as it’s not one of those destinations that is widely acknowledged as a business destination. But it should be. If Texas were a country it would be 10th in World Economies. It is HQ to hundreds of businesses, and Austin, the State Capital, attracts an eclectic mix of people and businesses including Amazon, Google and, most recently with a planned $1bn investment, Apple. It’s also got great nightlife with over 250 live music venues and, in one neighbourhood, the highest concentration of bars per capita anywhere in the US – one for every 67 people! And that population is rising rapidly with around 120 people moving to Austin every day – that is a growing market.

Walter Zaykowski, Senior Director of Communications, Austin Chamber of Commerce

State Capitol building

Last year Norwegian Air launched a direct flight from Gatwick to Austin and this was the final piece that made it viable to connect the Coast to Capital region with Texas. The Coast to Capital LEP Strategic Economic Plan states building a ‘strong national and international identity’ for the region as one of eight priorities, and I can think of no better way of doing that than identifying several key destinations on the Gatwick Route Map and turning up!

after Gatwick Diamond Business for 14 years, I really understand the value of business membership organisations. Walter Zaykowski responded positively and, as well as meeting to discuss the trip, we established the Chamber as a first port of call for any business looking to go to Austin. He will also think of me as and when any of his members look to explore the UK and beyond.

Through Walter’s introduction, I initially met with Austin FC, the MLS newest franchise, to discuss representation There really is no substitute for meetin the UK ahead of their entry to Major ing people that you want to do busiLeague Soccer in 2021. Chris Quinn is ness with, and I’ve found that business responsible for commercial developpeople in most destinations are happy ments at the Club “There is a demand from and is keen to hear any business non-EU destinations to build from looking to grow commercial links to the UK” their awareness with the fastest growing spectator sport in the US. to meet up, if you’ve made the effort to get there. And Texas hospitality means Ahead of the trip I had conversations that they are especially welcoming and with some of our regions’ education open to discussions. establishments, as my previous experience of working with other destinations Having received a positive response has shown these are well prepared for from Norwegian to my request for international working. some support, I set about finding contacts and gaining meetings. Chichester College Group is very engaged in this way and provided some My first call was to the Austin Chamfinancial support for the trip and I was ber of Commerce as, having looked

TRAVEL “The population is rising rapidly with around 120 people moving to Austin every day”

able to position them in my meetings with the University of Texas at Arlington, the University of Texas Austin and McCombs Business School. With facilities across the campuses, a range of highly regarded courses and links to business, I am sure we will soon see Texas students in the region. The Vice Provost of the Centre for Global Academic Initiatives at UT Arlington, Daniel Himarios, agreed to meet me and we discussed ways to take forward opportunities for UK and US students to conduct exchanges as well as for businesses to work with the University.

Currently ranked 17th in the US, the McCombs School of Business at UT Austin, is very highly regarded and has an extensive Overseas exchange Programme as well as great opportunities for businesses looking to grow in Texas utilising local talent. The meeting included the Vice-Provost of Global Engagement at UT Austin, Sonia Faigenbaum, and we are exploring how to position UK Institutions and businesses with the University as well as support UT students on visits to the UK. They are particularly interested in finding project-based positions for their students. Our time in Austin was all too brief but it gave me a real insight into doing business in the City. It’s well served by public transport, simple to navigate and, as explained earlier, packed with places to meet, eat drink. If you are brave enough you can get around easily on the Uber and Lime electric scooters that are left on every street corner. Do pick your time carefully as there are many events and festivals taking place throughout the year. The biggest of these is South by South West (SxSW) in early March. It’s a huge arts and media festival with all the big corporates in town taking over bars, premises and open spaces, alongside a big education fair. So, what next? I have built a great relationship with Team Texas, the investment arm of the Texas Economic Development Council, who are able to

Scooters. Everywhere.

supply incentives, support and guidance for businesses looking to invest in Texas. I’ll also be following up with BABC Houston and, more than likely joining so that I can provide an extra bridge to help with these trans-Atlantic opportunities. I believe the model works and there is an opportunity to repeat this exercise with a number of key economic destinations, selecting those that are not in the economic spotlight but have a direct flight from Gatwick. With Brexit approaching (at some point), there is a demand from non-EU destinations to build commercial links to the UK and, with Gatwick on the doorstep, we are ideally placed to do that. It takes time and effort to find the right people and it takes time and money to go there but it is well worth it, and the returns are manifold. Are you coming with me?

Jeremy Taylor is the MD of The Company Connector, which helps build commercial connections for business, education, government and charities. https://thecompanyconnector.com

Street entertainers at the SxSW festival

Norwegian flies direct to Austin from Gatwick Airport www.norwegian.com/ uk/destinations/austin/

check-in Month-to-month changes shaping your travel

TripAdvisor hits Norwegian flies to Rio has the oceans commenced its N orwegian

ripAdvisor has begun offering price comparison searches for 70,000 cruise itineraries in the U.S and UK. Cruise lines such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian are participating as advertisers, as are online travel agencies like Expedia, Cruise. com, and Priceline.

The company hopes that it will become as big a player in the cruise market as in the hotel industry. It bought the review forum CruiseCritic back in 2007, and has collected volumes of ship reviews. It is now upping its game in the cruise market.

Marriott hits 7,000

n April Marriott International launched its 7000th hotel affirming its position as the world’s biggest hotel company. Last year it completed the acquisition of former rival, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, for roughly $13 billion. The 7000th hotel is the 27-storey luxury St. Regis Hong Kong. Marriott is on track to keep its commitment of opening 1,700 additional hotels by the end of 2021, including about 320 hotels in Asia Pacific.

first route to Brazil with a brand-new non-stop service from London Gatwick to Rio de Janeiro. The new flights offer consumers in the UK an affordable way to travel to Brazil with fares from £169.90 one-way in economy and £449 oneway in Premium.

His Excellency Fred Arruda, the Ambassador of Brazil to the UK said: “This new flight will bring Brazil and the United Kingdom even closer together. “Brazil is known for its wonders and the hospitality of its people and Brazilians across the country wait for British visitors with open arms.”

Stephen King, Head of Airline Relations, Gatwick Airport said: “This new route further strengthens Gatwick’s connections to South America continuing our long-standing precedent of championing competition and opening up new destinations and price points for our passengers.” www.norwegian.com/uk

Still tough for airlines

here has been a spate of airlines folding over the last few years and 2019 looks just as difficult. The Icelandic Wow Air was the fourth to fall by the wayside this year, following Germany’s Germania and the UK’s Flybmi, as well as the small InselAir from the Caribbean island of Curacao.

Robots parking at Gatwick

atwick has signed a framework contract with Stanley Robotics and will be the first UK airport to trial robots that valet park passengers’ cars. The trial will run from the second half of 2019 to early 2020 and passengers will simply leave their car in a well-lit, spacious ‘parking station’ close to the South Terminal entrance and – with-

out handing over keys - the driverless robot will gently lift up the car and store it in a secure car park. The system will also be connected to real-time flight information so the robot simply returns the vehicle to the parking station. The user then receives an SMS that the vehicle is ready and waiting for their arrival.

Gatwick Airport connects you directly to over 120 stations

BUSINESS SURVEY

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

We’re more than just an airport 89

Jaguar E-Pace New Jaguar models seem to arrive in a flurry and the E-Pace is the latest such venture. A crossover that is set to rival the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and the Mercedes GLA. By Maarten Hoffmann

he E-Pace sits atop the steel Evoque platform and is the first available with frontwheel drive since the ghastly X-Type. The confusion with the name is that it suggests electric but no, there is no such version available as the I-Pace takes that crown and damn good it is too as l mentioned in my recent review. FWD is available, of course, and why wouldn’t you? If l listed all the models available in the range we would be here all day so let’s cover that by saying there are lots. Diesel and petrol models, from 148bhp to 296bhp and everything in between. Mine is the P300, petrol with 296bhp that makes a decent fist of shifting its 1.9 tonne bulk and will deliver 60mph in around 6 seconds. It handles well with a great level of grip and when you aim it into that corner, you can have total faith that it will do what you tell it and that’s no mean feat in a fairly high riding SUV – sorry, crossover. Even on huge 20 inch wheels, the car never feels unsettled or brash. Inside, it is definitely F-Type territory and it will seduce you. It is superbly put together with decent seats and well paid out dash. The gear shifter is the pistol grip in place of the rotating gear knob but, personally, l don’t like it. It’s too fiddly to get into the right gear without looking down and when l am parking or three-point turning, l don’t want to look down. My left hand is very used to doing this without having to look so surely a step backwards. All occupants are well catered for with four 12v charging points and five USB connections serving the front and rear and the car’s own 4G wifi hotspot will cater for up to 8 devices, and a 6-footer can sit behind a 6-footer – just. There is a great feeling of space and this is not a large car so bravo, and there are seats and wheel adjustments galore so getting comfy for anyone, of any size, is a breeze. Setting up the tech is easy with the 12.3-inch InControl Touch Pro media centre. Load space is good but not huge and

beats the Q2 but fails against the BMW X1. But, this is a much prettier car than the BMW and a more engaged drive, l would venture. The race to see how many gears manufacturers can get into a gear box continues apace, with nine ratios here but you won’t notice as it is all pretty seamless unless you screw it up by trying to use the paddle shifts. Don’t – the car doesn’t like it and does much better without your clumsy human interference. The best seller in the UK, allegedly, will be the D180 offering 178bhp and 55.4mpg and that matches what l feel is its nearest rival, the Volvo XC40. The Volvo is a great car but l still think the E-Pace pips it to the post but then, that’s a very personal choice. Jaguar have been going through a torrid time of late but we might be seeing a glimpse on the horizon of a rebirth in the entire car industry and the E-Pace is a great fit for a resurging JLR. I spoke to head of Harwood’s Business, Mike Harris and the company have just had their best ever quarter. With cars like this, and the I-Pace, and the F-Pace SVR that is coming soon, l think the company is set for a glorious future if we silly humans stop worrying about what will power our cars in the future and just get on with buying cars that are available today, all will be well.

MOTORING “Don’t do it, the car doesn’t like it and does much better without your clumsy human interference”

TECH STUFF Model tested: 300PS HSE R-Dynamic Power: 296bhp Speed: 0-60 5.9 seconds Top: 151mph Economy: 35.3 mpg combined Price from: £27,845 Price as tested: £47,330

www.harwoods.uk.com

Mercedes C-Class Convertible Mercedes model just seem to get better and better and the new C-Class is no exception. By Maarten Hoffmann

he C-Class Merc has been with us since 1993 and replaced the 180, and was the smallest model in the range until the A-Class arrived in 1997. It is one of the very rare Merc models that l have never owned as l prefer land yacht Mercs, like my current S-Class – it doesn’t so much drive as waft around like a Rolls and as the C-Class never enjoyed that rep, l avoided it. Till now... When it pulled into Platinum Towers, l was delighted to see the retro soft top and not a heavy hard fold away roof that we have become so used to.

This is a posh 4-seater with an array of engines and trim options. It sits under the E-Class and above the SLC (formerly the SLK). The E is a great car, but larger and the SLC is a strict two-seater so there certainly is a place for the C. My review model is the C300 with a good amount of oomph under your right foot, with excellent space for 4 and a few design shenanigans to stop your coiffeur from being bent out of shape. First, we have the Aircap: a rail that extends from the top of the windscreen and a wind deflector that

rises from the back of the rear seats, designed to minimize the wind in the cockpit. Then we have the Airscarf, that sensually blows hot air onto the back of your neck to keep you toasty. I must say that my all-time favourite time to drive a convertible is late at night, top down and heater on in the depth of winter – nothing quite like it and this baby would certainly work as there is hot air coming out of every orifice. The brilliance here is that inside with the roof up, you would be forgiven for thinking that this is a hard top. So little noise penetrates the cabin that I feel might be witchcraft.

MOTORING

Power plants available start with the 1.5-litre petrol with 182bhp right up to the totally insane, and highly desirable, C63 AMG with a twin-turbo 503bhp V8 engine that sounds as if the world is coming to an end. But they didn’t send me that so upwards and onwards with my C300.

most solid, surefooted cabrio’s l have ever driven – and l have driven quite a few as you might imagine. The boot is not a bad size but the entrance is poor and will force you to pack squidgy bags rather than hard

an exhaust note that will weaken your efforts to save the polar bears. The diesel models have some of the lowest CO2 emissions in the class – something that will appeal to business users l guess. They should prove economical, too.

“This is one of the most solid,

The traditional problem with surefooted cabrio’s l have ever Complaints – like regrets, l rag tops is the shake through had a few! Why oh why can l the steering wheel (scuttle driven – and l have driven quite not turn off the blasted annoyshake) and the blustering a few as you might imagine” ing stop/start system? I can in around your head. The secevery single other car on the cases but considering the roof has to ond is fixed, as mentioned, and the first planet but here, l have to drive in Sport go somewhere when you press the butis just not there at all. This is one of the plus to get it off and then around town, ton, not too shabby. If you want more l am jerked back and forth like a nodspace, get your wallet out and step up ding dog on acid. I know l am probably to the E or S-Class – both have convertalone here but l hate the slight hesitaible variants and both are superb cars. tion in acceleration you get with this The interior is sublime and any comstop/start system. The only other nigplaint would just be silly – MB have gle is the centre console facia that is been class leaders at this sort of things fake, plastic wood! Errr, why? for decades. The C-Class convertible is a tour de Engine wise, the C220 diesel will likeforce in automobile design – smooth, ly be the choice of many (who know sturdy, comfortable, beautiful and, with nothing about cars) as the C200 petthe right engine, exciting and dynamic rol offers far better, and quieter, perto drive. What more do you want? formance and if you really want an all-weather car, they also come with TECH STUFF four-wheel drive. The C-Class Cabriolet costs about the same as the BMW 4 Series Convertible but comes with a better level of standard equipment. This includes 18in alloy wheels, LED headlights, faux-leather seats, keyless entry, climate control, heated and part-electrically adjustable front seats, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, a wind deflector and the Airscarf system. The C63 adds four-wheel drive, adjustable suspension and even racier styling and

Model tested: C300 AMG convertible Power: 258bhp

Speed: 0-60 6.2 seconds Top: 155mph Economy: 37.7 mpg combined Price from: £39,109 Price from: £43,604

www.sandown-group.co.uk

chambers listings Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce www.businessinbrighton.org.uk

Brighton & Hove Living Wage ‘500 sign-ups’ coffee and cake Date: Wednesday 8th May Time: 9:30am–10:30am Venue: BrewDog Brighton, 52-54 Grand Parade, Brighton We’re celebrating the Brighton & Hove Living Wage campaign reaching 500 sign-ups! If you are a Living Wage employer join us at BrewDog Brighton to mark the occasion.

The ‘Brighton Fringe’ Popup Breakfast Date: Friday 10th May Time: 9am–11am Venue: Brighton Spiegeltent, Old Steine Pleasure Gardens, Brighton This is a pop-up breakfast with a difference. Come to network and enjoy a Fringe preview performance with a welcome from Fringe Director, Julian Caddy.

Slo-mo networking Date: Tuesday 21st May Time: 9am–11am Venue: Brighton Harbour Hotel, 64 Kings Road, Brighton Focus the conversation on your business with Slo-mo networking. We’ll facilitate quality introductions to people who want to meet you.

Chamber Breakfast May Date: Friday 24th May Time: 7:45am-9:30am Venue: Carluccio’s, 1 Jubilee Street, Brighton At our May breakfast Dawn Sperring, founder and owner of The Chilli Pickle, will be sharing her journey to building a successful and nationally recognised casual dining Indian restaurant.

Behind the Scenes at The Grand Hotel Brighton (Members only)

Hotel. A great opportunity to relax after work and meet fellow members in an informal environment. New members will be introduced to other members whilst getting to know the fun side of Chichester Chamber of Commerce. No need to book!

Join us for an exclusive tour and discover this iconic hotel’s rich history. There’ll be ample time to catch up with your fellow chamber members over coffee, so bring your business cards.

All places for events must be booked via the CCCI website.

Date: Wednesday 29th May Time: 10am-12pm Venue: The Grand Brighton, 97-99 King’s Road, Brighton

Chichester Chamber of Commerce & Industry www.chichestercci.org.uk

The Chichester Business Breakfast in conjunction with Chichester College Date: Wednesday 8th May Time: 7.30am-9am Venue: Chichester College, Westgate Fields, Chichester Price: Members: £13.50 Non-members: £15.00 This monthly breakfast (includes a full English breakfast) provides a friendly, relaxed and informative environment for local businesses to network and improve their business profile locally, with a guest speaker.

Networking Chamber Monthly Meeting Date: Monday 13th May Time: 6pm- 8:15pm Venue: Park House Hotel, 1 Bepton Road, Midhurst Price: Free Come along to this informal evening with drinks and refreshments, together with a guest speaker and Chamber update. Enjoy a tour of the hotel and spa with all attendees receiving a Caudalie beauty gift on departure.

‘Drop In For Drinks’ Wednesday Date: Wednesday 22nd May Time: From 5pm Venue: Chichester Harbour Hotel, 57 North Street, Chichester Price: Free Come and join us for an informal “after work drink” at the Chichester Harbour

Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce www.eastbourneunltd.co.uk

Chamber Breakfast Date: Tuesday 7th May Time: 7am Venue: The View Hotel, Grand Parade, 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.

Late Breakfast Networking Date: Wednesday 15th May Time: 9am Venue: The Cavendish Hotel Library, 38 Grand Parade, Eastbourne Price: Members: £11 Non-members: £16 (includes VAT) Join us for our popular late breakfast networking event. This unique venue provides an informal environment for attendees to make new business connections or catch up with existing contacts.

Chamber Breakfast Date: Tuesday 21st May Time: 7am Venue: The Hydro Hotel, Mount Road, Eastbourne Promote your business services and products over a delicious breakfast. This is a great opportunity to meet with other local business people in an informal setting. A choice of full English or Continental breakfast will be available.

CHAMBERS LISTINGS Edeal First Friday Business Networking Date: Friday 7th June 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.

Sussex Chamber of Commerce www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk

Joint Speed Networking Date: Wednesday 1st May Time: 4pm-7pm Venue: Civic Centre, Uckfield Price: Members: £7 Non-members: £10 (excludes VAT) We are pleased to invite you to this NEW joint Chamber event for 2019 which offers networking with a difference with Crowborough, Eastbourne, Seaford and Uckfield Chambers. Make new contacts quickly, expand your business, have fun!

Speed Networking with the Neighbours Date: Tuesday 14th May Time: 4pm-7pm Venue: Old Thorns Hotel, Hampshire Price: Members: £20.83 Non-members: £25.00 (excludes VAT) Always a hit and back by popular demand. We are pleased to invite you to this cross- County Chamber event for 2019 which offers networking with a difference. Make new contacts quickly, expand your business, have fun!

Home Grown Talent Date: Thursday 16th May Time: 12pm-2.30pm Venue: Chatsworth Hotel, Worthing Price: Members: £25.00 Non-members: £35.00 (excludes VAT) Hear how businesses have evolved to introduce employer-led solutions, how they have grown, recruited, and aligned their talent to the needs of their business and made an impact locally. Gatwick Airport will be the keynote speaker.

Maximise Your Membership Date: Tuesday 21st May Time: 8pm–11pm Venue: The Kings Centre, Burgess Hill Price: Free - Members Only event Meet the Sussex Chamber team and our providers to ensure you are taking advantage of every aspect of your membership. Network with other Chamber members in a relaxed environment.

Construction Forum Date: Tuesday 6th June Time: 7.45pm–10.30pm Venue: Holiday Inn, Brighton Price: Members: £25.00 Non-members: £35.00 (excludes VAT) These forums bring together construction industry organisations to debate and discuss the current construction issues in the region. This forum will focus on disputes and how to avoid them.

Presenting ourselves WiseUp2 Date: Tuesday 14th May Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm Venue: Centre For Leadership, GB MET, Broadwater Road, Worthing Price: Members: £35+VAT Non-members: £75+VAT The course will explore some of the ways our brains work and the impact this has on our behaviour when we are talking to other people, and how they receive information from us.

Chamber Hub Date: Friday 17th May 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.

Working smarter for better productivity WiseUp2

Worthing & Adur Chamber of Commerce www.worthingandadurchamber.co.uk

Chamber Annual General Meeting Date: Wednesday 8th May Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm Venue: The Dome, Marine Parade Worthing Price: Free We would like to invite you to come along and join us for our 2019 AGM. This year’s speakers are Gillian Fielding, Secret Millionaire and Chamber Patron, and Martin Randall, Director for the Economy for Adur & Worthing Councils.

Getting the best from your marketing WiseUp2 Date: Friday 10th May Time: 9:30am-11:30am Venue: Centre For Leadership, GB MET, Broadwater Road, Worthing Price: Members: £35+VAT Non-members: £75+VAT

Date: Tuesday 21st May Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm Venue: Centre For Leadership, GB MET, Broadwater Road, Worthing Price: Members: £35+VAT Non-members: £75+VAT A workshop aimed at the busy business owner, enabling them to make smart decisions, and how best they utilise their time and resources to develop and grow their business.

Funding & Gigabit Voucher Networking Breakfast Date: Friday 24th May Time: 7:30am-9:30am Venue: TBC Price: Members: £14+VAT Non-members: £18+VAT Businesses are urged to sign up to the gigabit revolution and make use of the Voucher Scheme currently on offer. We will also be updating you on this next round of funding available from Adur & Worthing Councils.

Are you keen to find new customers, raise your profile and increase your sales? This short course will cover a variety of ways to do just that!

THE PROBLEM WITH WOMEN

By Maarten Hoffmann

he problem with women is men! Without us, l feel that women would excel at most things as it is only with man’s interference, false labels and historic dominance that women have floundered. Can you believe that in 2019 we still have a gender pay gap, top jobs (secretly) reserved for men and assigned blame for the fact that women bear children? Hey guys, think about it. You need to take a year off to push an eight pound lump out of your body and then spend a year with it, bringing it up, feeding, cleaning and teaching it to pee somewhere other than in its pants. Then you want to return to work! The world has moved on, your team has shot ahead, facts and figures have changed, you have missed major meetings and strategy decisions and you think you can just slot back in. Think again. This is a frightening concept to behold and yet thousands of women face this dilemma every day in the UK. I have to admit to being biased in this debate. I was brought up in an all female household after my father departed when l was one. With a mother and three sisters, l then attended a school with five boys and 128 girls,

subsequently entered a profession dominated by women and went on to have three very vocal daughters. The thought of women not being equal to men was a total anathema – in fact, l was raised to understand that women are superior to men in countless ways, and absolutely nothing has changed this point of view over five decades of working alongside both sexes. Apart from the problems faced by women when they return to work and the lack of the opportunities in the corporate world, we are losing out with

the lack of assistance offered to women to start their own businesses. The recent Rose Review, authored by the deputy CEO of RBS, Alison Rose notes that up to £250 billion of new value could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled new businesses at the same rate as UK men. Even if the UK were to achieve the same average share of women entrepreneurs as best-in-class peer countries, this would add £200 billion of new value to the UK economy. So why do we still have this problem? Are women failing to grasp the nettle or are men holding them back with neanderthal thinking? Research carried out by McKinsey & Co has shown that companies with the greatest gender diversity on their executive teams are 21% more likely to outperform peers on profitability and 27% more likely to create superior value. Research also shows that women are as successful as men in sustaining a business once established. To make the UK the most attractive place to do business, we need the creativity and innovation that comes from diversity of thought in order to keep up with

Only 13% of senior people on UK investment teams are women, and almost half (48%) of investment teams have no women at all

ANGER MANAGEMENT

DYnamic THE MAGAZINE FOR WOMEN IN BUSINESS ISSUE ONE • APRIL 2019

ROME

Shake hands in the eternal city

GIRL TORQUE

INTERVIEW

The new Audi Q8

Amber Rudd shares her journey

The DYNAMIC Magazine steering committee

THE BIG DEBATE

HOW

Glass ceiling or glass ﬂoor

Michelle Mone

LEARNT TO SLOW DOWN

the rapidly changing world around us.

as it is frequently mentioned by female entrepreneurs who feel they are judged to be less competent than their male peers.

As l cannot possibly explore this subFewer UK women choose to become ject in a two-page feature, we have entrepreneurs than in best-practice decided to launch an entire magazine peer countries: Only 6% of UK women Women typically have higher riskdevoted to the subject. DYNAMIC, a run their own businesses, compared awareness than men and are more business magazine for women, launchto 15% of women in Canada, almost cautious about starting a business, es soon and will enjoy over 100 pages 11% of women in the US, and over 9% limiting their willingness to risk their devoted to the subject of women in of women in Australia and the Netherbusiness and all related sublands. The UK also lags behind jects. The publication will be emmany peer countries on gender This is a frightening powering, informative for BOTH parity (the ratio of female ensexes, will campaign for governtrepreneurs to male entrepreconcept to behold ment change and ensure that all neurs) with a current UK ratio of and yet thousands women understand that they do 0.46. In other words, for every need men’s permission to 10 male UK entrepreneurs, there of women face this not rise – just that men get out of the are fewer than five female entrepreneurs. By comparison, gendilemma every day way during the process. der parity in the Netherlands is in the UK almost 0.9, Spain sits above 0.8, We look forward to the UK Govand Australia, the US, Canada, ernment’s forthcoming Gender livelihood on an uncertain venture. In Israel, Sweden and Greece have genEquality and Economic Empowerment the survey, women were 55% more likeder parity ratios of 0.6 or more. Strategy. ly than men to cite fear of going it alone as a primary reason for not starting a Perceived bias within the UK venture Men and women are different – get business. finance community is a concern. Only over it. 13% of senior people on UK investment As a nation we have failed to underteams are women, and almost half stand that women are accomplished (48%) of investment teams have no entrepreneurs, and the business comwomen at all. Less than 1% of UK venmunity has failed to recognise the valture funding goes to all-female teams MANAGEMENT ue of women on their boards – despite and just 4% of deals. This is a complex the above stats! issue, but not one that we should skirt

ANGER

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SPORT CRICKET

ussex opened their Division Two County Championship season with a seven-wicket defeat to Leicestershire, followed by a six wicket win away at Durham. Highlights of the victory at the Emirates Riverside stadium were dominated by a five for by David Weise who helped dismiss the hosts for 189 in their second innings. Stiaan van Zyl then scored an unbeaten century for Sussex to guide the side to their first victory of the season.

news

Vitality Blast captain, Luke Wright (pictured above) has agreed a limited-overs only contract extension after confirm-

FOOTBALL

ing his retirement from first class cricket. After playing five times for Leicestershire, Luke joined Sussex in 2004 and played 139 first-class matches for the county, scoring over 7,000 runs at an average of 38.

DISABILITY SPORT

ast month it was announced that London will host the rearranged World Para-swimming Championships in September, after Malaysia were removed from hosting the event following their decision to not allow athletes from Israel to compete. The event will take place at the London Aquatics Centre from September 9th-15th featuring athletes from 60 different countries and will be the first time a worldwide Para-swimming competition will have been held there since the London Paralympics in 2012.

FORMULA ONE

fter three races, Champion Lewis Hamilton leads the Formula One Championship after consecutive first place finishes in Bahrain and China respectively. In the early stages of the season, Ferrari appear to have made some strange strategic decisions during the race, most notably in race

ast month saw 33,000 Seagulls fans converge on Wembley for the 1-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City, the fourth time Brighton & Hove Albion had played at the famous stadium after their cup final (and replay) appearance against Manchester United in 1983 and their division two play off final defeat to Notts County eight years later. A tremendous day out was had by everyone from Sussex and despite a spirited display from the Seagulls, the game was settled in the 4th minute by City’s Gabriel Jesus who converted from close range after a cross from Kevin De Bruyne. Ahead of the trip to Wembley, the trophy itself recently spent a day in Sussex helping to raise money for the Seagulls’ official charity, Albion In the Community. The Picture House Cinema and Restaurant in Uckfield played host to the iconic trophy after owner Kevin Markwick won a visit from the FA Cup in a charity auction. They were joined by Brighton & Hove Albion mascot Gully and the day raised more than £1,100 for AITC – money which will now help fund its local football sessions for people with a disability.

three when ordering Charles Leclerc to allow team mate Sebastian Vettel to overtake him. This month sees the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona on May 12th and then at Monaco on May 26th where last year Hamilton finished 1st and 3rd respectively.

H THE PLATINUM PAUL (Dev Assist) ADDISON v

PARTS 3 & 4 - ‘The Shooting and Archery Challenge’ All square after two events, the Platinum Challenge moves to Q Leisure in Albourne for some competitive outdoor fun!

short hop up the A23 from Brighton is Q Leisure who describe their activities as an adrenaline fuelled experience and who kindly agreed to host the next set of Platinum Challenges. A popular destination for corporate days out, stag & hen parties and team building events, Q Leisure is family run by Peter Peacock and his son Lloyd and is recognised as one of the country’s leading outdoor activity centres, so I knew we were going to have a good day.

myself and Paul arrived together with James Johnson from Picture Book Films, where we were greeted by our qualified instructor for the day, Jonny. Little did he know what he’d let himself in for because, with old and ugly Ant & Dec in town, we weren’t going to be easy to instruct.

these guns and there are only a handful of activity centres in the UK that are able to offer this event. After all the necessary security procedures and safety precautions for using such a weapon were explained, Jonny showed us the layout of our outdoor shooting range and that our shooting area would be undercover and, in a cage, presumably to protect the spectators more than anything? Oh, and before anyone starts on at me about shooting not being a sport, it is, just google Katie Gleeson from Goring-by-sea and Double Commonwealth Champion and Olympic bronze medallist Steven Scott from Battle!

“...most of our shots were above, below, left or right, anywhere but straight!”

We could have chosen any number of activities including clay pigeon shooting, archery, assault rifles, axe throwing, target shooting, fire walking, team building games, archery tag, Segways, bubble football, laser tag or (and breath!) outdoor go-karting. Something for everyone then! It was an overcast day with a hint of sun trying to break through when

Laurence, do you know where the target is?

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Especially as we’d planned our first activity to be shooting! Paul and I were presented with two .22 semi-automatic assault rifles which are apparently very rare to the UK; the Ceska Zbrojovka 452 bolt action rifle and the Heckler & Koch 416 which is used as an infantry weapon in many countries GULP! It was pointed out that we had no need to travel to Eastern Europe or Vegas to experience

First up was a series of practice shots at a selection of spinning metal discs 50 metres away, which if I’m honest, didn’t go too well for either of us. Each weapon had a laser sight but that didn’t seem to help as most of our shots were

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You’ve got it upside down...

above, below, left or right, anywhere but straight! Paul blamed his shaking hands (!?) which I’m glad he told me about after we’d finished! My excuse? I’d left my glasses in the car. However, I remember 17 years ago I won a clay pigeon shooting competition and was confident I could win this. After all I only needed to hit one more target than Paul! Onto the competition then and we both had 20 shots with the winner being the one who hit the most plates. Let me tell you, it’s not as easy as you think, Paul hit a miserly three and I only managed a paltry two! Absolutely gutted and furious with myself, so much so that I got a tad stroppy and walked off, made worse by cameraman James AND Paul’s daughter, Georgia’s ability to both hit five despite no practice first! Paul 2-1 Laurence I blame the nerves and pressure of competition, but never mind, next up was our opportunity to administer our best Legolas from Lord of the Rings impression with a spot of archery. Jonny walked us through everything

The perfect stance

from picking up the bow, to hitting our first bull’s eye. It didn’t bode well when he pointed out I’d begun by holding the bow upside down?! The session started with some practice and tuition, before we finished with the competition proper. While Paul was consistently hitting the red and yellow rings on the target, I was missing the board completely let alone hitting the target. Bragging rights appeared to be heading in Paul’s direction. Let’s just say Paul turned out to be like Robin Hood, while I was more like an extractor hood! The range was set against a natural sand cliff with some model animals scattered around and after being completely trounced in the competition itself (honestly, I can’t remember the scores!), our final moment was an arrow at one of the ‘stuffed sheep’. Whilst I preceded to tickle the aforementioned beast on its ankle, Paul’s arrow went straight through the side… I’m sure he’s been practicing on the quiet! We were told the experience would make us feel like we were hunting - unfortunately, if we were a couple, on this evidence, Paul would be the hunter whilst I’d be more of the gatherer!?

Thank you to Q Leisure for their kind hospitality and thank you to instructor Jonny for his patience and calm reassurance that I wasn’t half as crap as I thought I was. 3-1 to Paul then, and next up we’ll be back at Q Leisure for some axe throwing and go karting. It’s getting serious now! The Platinum Challenge – helping to raise funds for Rockinghorse Children’s Charity. If you can help, all donations will be very much appreciated www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/platinumchallenge10

SCORE SCORE AFTER AFTER ONE FOUREVENT: EVENTS: PAUL PAUL 1-03-1 LAURENCE LAURENCE

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