the royal automobile Club

enTerTain royally

The Royal Automobile Club is one of the world’s foremost private members’ clubs, offering fi rst-class facilities across two distinctly different clubhouses, built on the foundation of being the United Kingdom’s oldest motoring organisation

These adjoining rooms can be used in conjunction to accommodate larger events or breakout space.

Motoring remains at the heart of the Club today, which can be seen in our Motor House, a popular event space in the summer, home of the Royal Automobile Club’s heritage vehicles, including automobiles from the RAC patrol fl eet and annual london to Brighton veteran Car Run. Hold your meeting or event between April and the end of September in this historic setting, for that added something that guests will truly remember.

Alternatively, immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Woodcote Park in our classic dining room, with its motoring trophy cabinet and walls lined with fi ne old leather-bound volumes. The Library boasts pleasant views over the golf course and Cedar Lawn and is the perfect room for both board meetings and private dinners.

Whether your event is an intimate dinner party, a business meeting or a special occasion, our professional team will take care of every little detail so you can focus on what is truly important, your guests. With eleven diverse banqueting rooms across two clubhouses as well as the Motor House at Woodcote Park, you are certain to fi nd the ideal space for your event. The Club’s Executive Chef along with his on-site food and beverage team have designed a range of menus to suit every occasion using the fi nest ingredients to truly delight.

Just 16 miles from London, exchange your everyday working environment for a breath of fresh air at Woodcote Park. The Clubhouse and estate are set in 350 acres on the Surrey downs, offering outstanding service and a tranquil country club setting for idyllic events and outdoor activities. If your event is over several days, why not stay longer, with 22 individually decorated bedrooms on site, each with a distinctive country style and décor.

The Cedar Room, the largest of Woodcote Park’s banqueting rooms, is surrounded on two sides by fl oor-toceiling French windows, opening out onto the beautifully manicured Cedar Lawn. The perfect choice for a summer function or conference, guests can enjoy the fi ne weather and gather on the terrace for an aperitif before a dinner or to fi nish after a full day meeting. The cedar Room boasts diverse room, with several room partition choices and marquee hire available on the Cedar Lawn to increase entertainment space.

For smaller occasions or business meetings, our Oaks and derby Rooms on our fi rst fl oor, boast fi ne views over the vast Woodcote Park golf courses.

please note that all events and functions held at the Club require a member sponsor, if you are unaware of a member connection but are interested in our spaces, please state this when enquiring. for more information or to book please contact, Stephanie grove, Sales & marketing executive via email stephanie.grove@ royalautomobileclub.co.uk or telephone 01372 229 632.

NEW MEMBERS

Surrey Chambers of Commerce welcomes its latest member companies

when you join Surrey Chambers of Commerce, your company details automatically get listed on this page alongside fellow new members.

what a fantastic way to let the Surrey Business community know you are out there and ready to get those all-important connections.

heidi’S virtUal aSSiStant limited t/a Smartpa

07956 844677 www.SmartPA.com contact: Heidi Maguire

woking mind

07860 340739 www.wokingmind.org.uk contact: diana Chan

markey StUdent property limited t/a StayletS

07791 620556 www.staylets.co.uk contact: Oliver Williams

100 wayS in 100 dayS ltd

07976 522671 www.100ways.eco+e7 contact: Sue Skeats

welleSley ConStrUCtion ServiCeSa3

01277 822452 www.wellesley.uk.com Mike Tiplady contact: Irina Hriplivii

iZZy pr

07798 555397 www.izzypr.co.uk contact: Michelle Perkins

All new Chamber members are entitled to a one-off 50% discount for a company profi le within this magazine. Contact lesley@platinummediagroup.co.uk for more details

If you are looking to join Surrey Chambers, then please do get in touch with either: sarah.butcher@surrey-chambers.co.uk or tom.woods@surrey-chambers.co.uk or call 01483 735540. We look forward to hearing from you!

FOLLOW THE SURREY CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE ON SOCIAL MEDIA...

Jab in THe bacK

40% of AstraZeneca shareholders have rebelled against the company after the proposed bonus rise for Pascal Soriot, their chief executive. Under the new decision, Soriot is to receive a maximum share bonus of 650% of his £1.3 million base salary, this being a 100% increase from the pre-vote level. The pay increase comes in spite of the company’s promise to sell the Covid-19 vaccine at cost.

However, this isn’t the first shareholder rebellion because of pay hikes for Soriot. In May of 2018, 37% of shareholders opposed a £9.4 million pay package for the chief executive, an increase that was considered “far too high” by John Farmer, an investor in AstraZeneca.

NEWS BulleTin

❛❛ The Commons, faithful to their system, remained in a wise and masterly inactivity ❜❜

James Mackintosh, 1791

RSM NAMEd MOST ACTIvE IN THE SOUTH EAST

RSM’s corporate finance team has been named most active M&A financial advisers in the South East for the first quarter. RSM advised on 53 completed deals in the first quarter of 2021, with 19 of these being in the South East, placing them third on the national League table.

Experian, who provided the data, recorded a total of 1,712 transactions, an increase of 52% from the middle of 2020. This increase brings transactions back to a level similar to before the pandemic. Kirsty Sandwell, partner and head of corporate finance at RSM, has stated that “the deals market has recovered well” and that “looking at the transactional activity as a predictor of business sentiment, the data is encouraging.”

landmark rUling for animalS

For the first time in UK law, animals are to be recognised as sentient beings in a new set of animal welfare measures. These measures also come with a ban on live animal exports, a $448 million market in 2019. The crackdown on live animal exports is predominantly focussed on preventing animals leaving the country for slaughter or fattening purposes, something that has been called for by animal rights groups for several years. Executive director of Humane society international/UK says that this decision “will play a critical role in tackling global environmental and public health challenges such as climate change”.

exportS riSe

March saw a 2.1% rise in the UK’s GDP, this arriving in the final month of the first quarter, helping to pull back against a harsher economic retreat. With economists expecting a negative growth of 1.7% to occur in the first quarter, the contraction of 1.5% appears as a win for the economy, staying the fears of a double-dip recession resulting from pandemic paralysis.

These figures can be in no small part influenced by the bounce back of UK exports to the EU. Following January’s 40.7% decline in exports to the EU, February saw a 46% increase with March following up with a further 9.9% increase. Though for many sectors exports still remain low.

❛❛ A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself ❜❜

Jim Morrison, 1967, lead vocalist of The Doors

dIGITAL SKILLS SHORTAGE

Mark Wright, 2014 winner of The Apprentice and owner of digital marketing company Climb Online, has expressed concern over the lack of digital skills in the UK’s work force. In an interview with the BBC, Wright said that “Right now, I have 14 roles immediately available and over the last month, we’ve had one application”, a comment that is indicative of the wider issue.

With LinkedIn predicting 150 million new technology jobs being created in the next five years, it’s no wonder that former cabinet secretary Gus O’Donnell also shares Wright’s fears, claiming that the UK is at risk of being “left behind” if we don’t rise to meet this new demand.

amazon oUT of THe woods

Amazon has won a battle with the courts over £250 million in back taxes that it had been ordered to pay Luxembourg. The European Commission ordered Amazon to repay the funds, claiming that the company had been given special treatment that wasn’t fair. However, the latest ruling from the EU’s General Court overturned the order, claiming that Amazon had received “no selective advantage”.

❛❛ Doubt is an uncomfortable condition, but certainty is a ridiculous one ❜❜

Voltaire, writer

£4.4M COvId-19 RECOvERY FUNd LAUNCHEd BY SELEP

South East LEP (SELEP) has launched a £4.4m Covid-19 Recovery Fund programme, focussing on boosting economic recovery in the South East. The support ranges from business guidance and advice to assistance for those who have been made unemployed or redundant. The programme is made of two main funds, the £2.4m COVID-19 Business Support Fund and the £2m Skills COVID-19 Recovery Fund, both being used to invest directly in areas across the South East that have been most affected by the pandemic.

Each of these funds is split into multiple packages, offering a tailored level of support for the best outcomes. The COVID-19 Business Support Fund's segments focus on working with and supporting businesses throughout the South East. This is in contrast to the Skills COVID-19 Recovery Fund's focus on individual development rather than business development. South East LEP Chief Executive Adam Bryan said that combined, these funds will "provide a much-needed boost for business and individuals in the SELEP area."