What is corporate finance?
INTERVIEW
The Head of Hurst
Business Property Relief
DMH STALLARD Best laid plans
MOTORING
Ferrari 296 GTB
THE
Surrey Business Awards 2024
ANGER MANAGEMENT A victory for free speech
Gatwick’s new routes
TRAVEL
Costa Rica
DYNAMIC MAGAZINE INSIDE
30 Bill Gates and the Microsoft legacy
Bill Gates may have stood down from his position at the top of this corporate giant, but his legacy is everywhere
SURREY CHAMBERS
11 Surrey Chamber News
A round up of Surrey Chambers of Commerce members’ news
14 Surrey Chamber Events
What’s on for Surrey Chambers members
19 Local Skills Improvement Fund Employer engagements at the heart of the LSIP EVENTS
20 Central South Business Awards
Do you know how to write an award-winning entry?
Surrey Business Magazine offers some tips to get the judges’ attention
26 Platinum Club
Now in its 15th year, it remains the pre-eminent networking forum in Sussex
58 Surrey Business Awards
Announcing the 2024 awards – bigger, better, brighter! Entries open now
62 Property Professionals Lunch
The Platinum Media Group has joined this highly influential network as media partner
64 Gatwick Diamond Business Awards
The 2024 finalists are announced. Are you one of them?
24 Gatwick Airport
London Gatwick routes expand across Asia, plus how the airport supports National Apprenticeship Week
60 Creative Pod
The marketing agency has secured another year of industry’s ‘The Drum Recommends’ accreditation
69 Cleankill
Cleankill scoops a sustainability awards at a London Chambers of Commerce event
CHARITY
28 Focus Foundation Winter Ball
Highlights from this seasonal spectacular fundraiser
66 Rockinghorse Comedy Night
Some of Britain’s top comedians trod the boards at Brighton’s Theatre Royal to raise funds for the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity LEGAL
36 Loch Associates
Are references now a waste of time?
42 DMH Stallard commentary Anticipating and dealing with problems before they happen
46 Mayo Wynne Baxter
An introduction to Business Property Relief
52 DMH Stallard
Future employment versus settlement agreement – which works best for you?
The largest tech, digital and innovation event ever to take place in the south east. Get involved!
44 Kreston Reeves Navigating UK Corporation Tax payments
56 EMC
What is corporate finance?
Michael Pay explains what corporate financiers do INNOVATION
54 Sussex Innovation
What does a campus address do for your business?
EDUCATION
38 Hurstpierpoint College
Maarten Hoffmann talks to the new Head of Hurst College, Dominic W Mott OPINION
70 Anger Management
A victory for free speech. Offering honest negative reviews should not be met with a time-wasting tide of litigation
72 Costa Rica
Tess de Klerk went to discover the Caribbean coast of this amazing Central American paradise
76 Ferrari 296 GTB
Maarten tries out a the Ferrari 296 GTB, an updated version of the Dino –his all-time favourite Ferrari
I was deeply saddened to hear that Chaz Brooks, one of our amazing past presidents of Surrey and Guildford Chambers, passed away on February 5th after a two-year battle with cancer. Chaz was an integral part of the creation of Surrey Chambers and supported it, and me, for many years. It’s a very sad loss for the business community. I know many people reading this will have known Chaz and have such good memories of his cheery disposition. Our condolences go out to Mandy and their three gorgeous children, Amy, Matt and Ella.
We are excited to once again be partners at the Surrey Business Expo on March 27th at the Surrey Sports Park. Surrey Business Expo is the county’s biggest business exposition and is celebrating its 16th consecutive year in 2024. It is an excellent platform to showcase and promote your business to a local audience and catch up with the vibrant business community in Surrey.
We are also delighted to be launching, in partnership with Surrey Heath Borough Council, the Surrey Manufacturing and Engineering
❛❛ Chaz was an integral part of the creation of Surrey Chambers and supported it, and me, for many years. It’s a very sad loss for the business community ❜❜
Network, a dynamic initiative aimed at fostering collaboration and growth within the manufacturing and engineering sector in Surrey. Our mission is to facilitate shared learning, create supply chain opportunities, and offer business support to elevate innovation and stimulate growth.
By bringing together local businesses, we aim to establish a vibrant network where industry experts can exchange knowledge to collectively address and resolve challenges via sectorspecific events and workshops. Each bi-monthly gathering will be hosted by a manufacturing or engineering business, initially located within Surrey Heath, kicking off at Amazon Filters, Camberley. For those in the manufacturing and engineering sector, this is the perfect opportunity to network, learn, and collaborate.
Surrey Chambers members, Guildford Shakespeare Company is an awardwinning theatre company and arts education charity, and in 2024, it is celebrating 18 years of making unique theatre and education experiences. Not only does it put on fantastic productions (I should know, as I have seen most of them!) but throughout the year, its dedicated Outreach and Education Department creates some 17,000 participant opportunities for young and old through workshops, clubs and classes. Its tours reach 7,500 students a year, in targeted, disadvantaged primary and secondary schools across Surrey.
As we approach Budget day on March 6th, we are calling for the Chancellor to work in partnership with business to develop a sustainable growth plan. Following much consultation with businesses, resulting in a strong evidence base, the network of Chambers has made a number of recommendations including:
■ The VAT registration review should be restarted with a view to removing the existing cliff edge.
■ Government should reform business rates to make it a tax that incentivises growth.
■ Ministers should commit to fund business-led Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) beyond the current 2025 cut-off point to at least 2028.
■ The Chancellor should introduce a new internationally competitive taxfree shopping scheme.
With the clock ticking before the General Election, the Budget must outline the sustainable growth plan businesses are crying out for.
Don’t forget to look at our Future Skills Hub, sharing resources and events aimed at businesses and providers to help bring them closer together and solve skills gaps: www.surrey-chambers.co.uk/ future-skills-hub
Surrey Chambers of Commerce can be reached on 01483 735540, info@surrey-chambers.co.uk; @surreychambers on X (formerly Twitter); www.surrey-chambers.co.uk
Louise Punter CEO Surrey Chamber of Commerce
APPLICATION
accyotta.com 0207 0436 090
EDUCATIONAL
BC
GILBRO
NOT
All
If
CHEYNEY
CHIMNEY
AI
HOLIDAY
In its January 2024 analysis report, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts a significant transformation in economies and societies due to generative Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The report highlights that in advanced economies, an estimated 60% of jobs will face some level of impact. Approximately half of these positions are expected to see benefits, primarily through productivity enhancements AI introduces to the workplace. However, the remainder may experience disruption, leading to job role modifications or, in some instances, the elimination of positions.
The unpredictability of how new technologies affects employment is not a novel concern. Historical instances of technological innovation have similarly posed threats to jobs, yet businesses and economies have
successfully adapted. Generative AI represents a continuation of this trend, albeit at a notably accelerated pace.
For businesses in Surrey, the immediate step should be to gain a deeper understanding of generative AI and its potential ramifications. A practical approach is to explore the wealth of web-based AI tools available for tasks
A new research facility at the University of Surrey could soon help society better understand various diseases, or even help scientists trace nanoplastics through the bodies and cells of humans and animals.
Thanks to a £500,000 grant from the Wolfson Foundation, Surrey will soon open the doors to its Centre of Excellence for Bioanalytical Science. It will be led by Professors Anthony Whetton, Melanie Bailey and Paul Townsend. Leading researchers will use a unique blend of high-end equipment – including ion beams. The Centre will develop new ways of measuring biomarkers that are unavailable anywhere else in the world.
Biomarkers are chemical signatures widely used in biology and medicine to monitor health and wellness, diagnose
diseases earlier, and understand and treat diseases.
Professor Melanie Bailey,Centre Director, from the University of Surrey, said: “Our new Centre will drive forward the next generation of technologies and biomarker measurements that are smarter, faster and environmentally friendly.
“Our novel approach to measurement will enable new research aimed at combatting anti-microbial resistance, exploring the impact of nanoplastics on human and animal health, non-invasive patient sampling and rapid clinical diagnostics for humans and animals.”
As well as enabling new research in science and medicine, the Centre will provide a specialist measurement service, train the next generation of scientists and offer an innovation hub
such as content creation and data analysis.
These tools can offer significant time savings, but caution is advised in how they are used due to potential risks. Risk mitigation strategies include crafting precise instructions (prompts) and maintaining a critical human oversight on AI-generated outputs.
A pragmatic balance would be to allocate 80% of the task to AI, with the remaining 20% reserved for human refinement, thus ensuring that AI complements rather than replaces the human touch. This 80/20 rule underscores the principle that, despite its advances, AI cannot completely replicate human creativity and critical thinking.
AI Business Training: www.ai-buisnesstraining.co.uk
for academic, industry, government, and NHS partners.
The Centre will make use of the Surrey Ion Beam Centre, an Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council national research facility. The Ion Beam Centre already supports £100 million in funding from 23 universities and industries.
It will develop new methodologies not available anywhere else internationally, including multi-modal ion beam analysis – which uses high and low energy beams to precisely locate individual molecules within a cell.
The Centre will work closely with Surrey’s SEISMIC facility to use advanced technology to analyse individual cells and parts of cells. Research will incorporate artificial intelligence to maximise understanding and use of findings.
www.surrey.ac.uk
We make it our business to know your business, working with you to add value and to deliver tailored legal services with energy and creativity whether you’re an established market leader or an ambitious start-up.
Your family’s security and wellbeing are your priority. And we have the legal skills and knowledge to support your plans and the challenges life brings.
On February 11th, HJP Chartered Financial Planners officially launched its Business Advice Service to local businesses at Meadowbank, home of Dorking Wanderers FC.
Addressing the time constraints faced by busy business owners, the company’s service aims to bridge the gap between daily operations and long-term financial planning.
Gregor Watt, Managing Director and Chartered Financial Planner at HJP Chartered Financial Planners, delivered a keynote speech at the event, stating, “As someone who regularly speaks to business owners, the one thing you almost always have in common is a lack of time. You are so busy working on your business that you don’t have time to work on your own future.
“If we can work out what your ideal financial future looks like, we can look at where you are now, what you have in place and work out how likely you are to get there. If you are not on track, what actions do you need to take to get there? How can we rearrange your current finances to better achieve the lifestyle
you deserve? If you are already on course, can you change the plan?”
At HJP, financial planning is about achieving goals both now, and in the future. As business owners are busy, taking time to focus on long-term vision this will help to achieve financial goals.
HJP Chartered Financial Planners is a friendly, experienced, and established Dorkingbased firm who believe in delivering advice in a simple, jargon-free way.
We believe in building long-term relationships so we can offer financial planning advice at every stage of your lives. We do this by offering a wide range of financial services whether you are looking to build, grow, protect of preserve your money.
HJP Wealth Management Limited is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products.
Computer Care, a leading provider of IT security solutions, has been awarded a Certificate of Assurance by Cyber Essentials Plus. The accreditation is the next level up from Cyber Essentials and signifies the organisation’s commitment to implementing and maintaining the highest standards of cyber security measures to protect against everevolving online threats.
Cyber Essentials Plus is a prestigious accreditation, held by just over 9,000 UK businesses. There are over 5.5 million businesses in the UK, so this represent quite an achievement.
Computer Care’s founder, Simon Pardo, says “This achievement is down to the team’s hard work and tenacity to ensure every aspect of our business is secure. Following the guidelines set out by the government’s scheme, we’re able to demonstrate our commitment and knowledge to online security for businesses.”
Going through the certification process is an ardent process for a team, and
certainly makes businesses aware of any gaps in their security as well as being held accountable for their online security strategy.
There are many benefits of becoming Cyber Essentials Plus accredited, including, but not limited to; -
■ Enhanced client confidence – proving dedication to security
■ Competitive advantage – commitment to security offers preferred choice by those prioritising security
■ Cyber risk mitigation – the process identifies and addresses vulnerabilities
■ Alignment with regulatory standards – meets the legal standards of data protection and cyber security
■ Trust in the supply chain – instilling confidence in suppliers and partners used
Having gone through the process, Computer Care has proven both its ability and dedication to ensure the right systems and procedures are in place to help other businesses achieve certification through best-practice security.
They remain dedicated to staying at the forefront of cyber security advancements, and this achievement further solidifies its position as a leader in providing innovative and secure IT solutions.
Cyber Essentials Plus: https://cyberessentials.online/ cyber-essentials-plus
Friday March 8th | 12:00 – 15:00
Holiday Inn, Guildford
For International Women’s Day 2024 and beyond, let’s Inspire Inclusion. When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. When women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment.
The aim of the IWD 2024 #InspireInclusion campaign is to collectively forge a more inclusive world for everyone. Surrey Chambers of Commerce and the Business Women In Surrey (BWIS) Steering Group present our International Women’s Day Lunch 2024.
Tuesday March 19th | 12:00-14:00
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Welcome to Business Bites - a networking lunch with a guest speaker and an interesting topic of choice. Dipping into our vast pool of members and all their knowledge, we have decided to present Business Bites, with various of our members presenting of a variety of business-related topics! Running from 12 - 2pm, the Networking Lunch is the perfect opportunity to meet new clients in the area.
Tuesday March 12th | 08:00 – 10:00
Lythe Hill Hotel
Our bi-monthly Business Breakfasts are a wonderful opportunity to meet a range of Surrey businesses over a delicious breakfast. With a calendar bursting with interesting and stimulating events, we are sure you will find topics that are current and relevant to you and your business. We acknowledge that making new contacts is rather high on your priority list, so start your day with networking, hearing from a possible guest speaker, whilst most importantly, all over a breakfast!
Thursday March 21st | 18:00-20:00
The Guildford Harbour Hotel Surrey Chambers of Commerce is proud to present its Surrey Young Professionals Networking Evening. Whether you are new to the world of networking or simply wish to brush up on your networking skills, the Surrey Young Professionals Networking series is here to connect you with like-minded people, all over some delicious canapés and cocktails.
Thursday March 28th | 18:00-20:00
Silent Pool Distillers, Albury
Our Members Networking Evenings are a monthly event where we invite our current members to join us to catch up on the happenings of the previous months business calendar.
Running from 18:00 – 20:00, Members Networking Evenings are the perfect opportunity for an informal, relaxed gathering with members you already have relationships with and those you don’t.
Tuesday April 30th | 13:00-15:00
Warbrook House Hotel, Hook
Surrey and Hampshire Chambers of Commerce invite you to Have Your Cake and Eat It! An afternoon tea networking for businesses located on the Surrey and Hampshire border. Grow your business connections by meeting a wide range of companies from locations cross-county!
Thursday April 25th | 18:00-20:00
Horsley Estate, East Horsley
Our Members Networking Evenings are a monthly event where we invite our current members to join us to catch up on the happenings of the previous months business calendar. Running from 18:00 – 20:00, Members Networking Evenings are the perfect opportunity for an informal, relaxed gathering with members you already have relationships with and those you don’t.
Wednesday June 26th | 17:00-20:00
Royal Automobile Club, Epsom
We look forward to this fabulous summer event where you can expect some live music, delicious BBQ food, a glass of bubbly and a charity raffle. The Summer BBQ will be the perfect opportunity for you to catch up with clients, colleagues, and other Surrey Chamber members. Kick off summer with some delicious food, lovely weather, and great networking!
By communicating with and listening to our local businesses, we can ensure that they are getting the skills they want to see coming into and through the workforce. There are many ways the LSIP engages with employers; through events, roundtables and making sure employers are put in contact with FE colleges and independent training providers (ITPs).
Events such as our annual Future Skills Forum and industry-specific Skills Summits allow us to put employers at the centre, and facilitate rich discussions with local providers that focus on the skills challenges from employers and innovative solutions from providers.
By asking employers to contribute to the LSIP via commitment cards and feedback forms, we can gather vital intelligence that helps influence the initiatives we lead and collaborate on. By filling out commitment cards employers can be first in line for engagement opportunities between themselves, colleges and ITPs.
The Opportunities Tab, on the LSIP Future Skills Hub, gives employers another avenue to get in contact, directly, with colleges and ITPs. Providers submit opportunities for placements, sharing expertise and the use of cutting edge
facilities and equipment and employers are then able to directly contact providers to start conversations around the opportunities presented. These interactions can often lead to other conversations about working together to grow businesses and prosperity.
These are just some of the ways employers can engage with the wider LSIP network, but moving forward we want to hear from employers and discuss more ways the LSIP can help get the right skills coming through the workforce – now and in the future.
❛❛ By asking employers to contribute to the LSIP via commitment cards and feedback forms, we can gather vital intelligence that helps influence the initiatives ❜❜
2024 will see a second report published by the LSIP, and, as with the first report, we want to ensure employers’ views on skills and recruitment challenges are included. For example:
■ What specific skills do you require now and in the future?
■ What barriers do you face in engaging in full or part-time training for your staff?
■ What problems are you experiencing in recruiting talent?
■ What approaches might improve the skills and knowledge supply for your business?
■ Is your business engaging with apprenticeships to address skills gaps?
To help influence the topics of future LSIP events or talk about ways the LSIP can further support you as an employer, get in contact with a member of the LSIP team to have your say in the 2024 LSIP report via: lsip@surrey-chambers.co.uk.
On LSIP employer engagement, Louise Punter, CEO at Surrey Chambers of Commerce said: “The LSIP has been key in connecting employers with colleges and training providers through direct contact, events, and our opportunities tab. This has put us at the forefront of employer engagement as we continue to work to bring through the skills that employers want to see in the workforce, whether that’s from upskilling, or hiring apprentice’s and taking on board work placements. By feeding into the report, employers can influence LSIP initiatives and further benefit from skills provisions.”
Engaging with local business | Shaping local talent:surrey-chambers.co.uk/ future-skills-hub
Businesses have still not adapted to the impact of Brexit and the government must “strengthen relations with the EU” to relieve the strain on firms, the UK’s top business body has told the government.
The Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, Shevaun Haviland, has written to the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt ahead of his budget on March 6th, saying “With improved UK-EU relations, closer co-operation should be possible, through the partnership bodies with the EU, to look at how the [trade and co-operation agreement] is working in practice and can be improved,” Haviland added that businesses had still not adapted to trade barriers erected by Brexit and were struggling under current trading rules.
UK retailers enjoyed the strongest rebound in monthly sales for years in January as people returned to the shops after a slump in Christmas shopping. Sales rose by 3.4% in January 2024, the biggest monthly increase since April 2021, as all retail sectors except clothing stores experienced gains. It provided welcome relief after a poor Christmas trading period, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Supermarkets had a good month, as did sports shops and department stores. Retail sales in the crucial festive season fell by more than initially estimated, after the ONS revised a 3.2% monthly decline in December to 3.3%, the biggest fall since shops were forced to close during the Covid pandemic in 2021.
Profits at British Gas have surged tenfold after the industry watchdog relaxed restrictions on how much money energy companies could make from their bills.
Parent company Centrica released figures on February 15th revealing that British Gas, which supplies energy to UK households and businesses, showed its profits jumped to £751m in 2023, up from £72m a year earlier.
Suppliers were forced to protect households from a spike in prices, which rose as a result of the Covid-19 lockdowns and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, causing dozens of companies to fail. The price cap rise, and subsequent increase in British Gas profits, pushed Centrica’s pre-tax profit to £6.5bn for 2023, compared with a loss of £240m in 2022. Shareholders were the recipients of a £144m handout.
❛❛ If you see a bandwagon, it’s too late ❜❜James Goldsmith
Analysis from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) has revealed that the UK government’s abandonment of VAT-free shopping for international tourists has contributed to a £11.1bn loss in GDP, dissuading approximately two million foreign visitors annually.
Business leaders have written an urgent letter to chancellor Jeremy Hunt raising concerns about the detrimental impact on the economy, emphasising the need to reinstate tax-free shopping in his March budget, especially with the Paris Olympics looming. Among its 400 signatories are the CEOs of the Royal Opera House, Burberry, Harvey Nichols and Jimmy Choo, alongside designer Sir Paul Smith.
The BBC has removed an episode of Dragons’ Den from iPlayer after concerns were raised over a myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) product. Giselle Boxer secured an investment from the entrepreneur and podcaster Steven Bartlett for her product Acu Seeds.
However, campaigners said she had made “unfounded claims” during the episode, which aired on January 18th. Following the episode, ME campaign groups said that a large audience would have heard the pitch which they alleged “amounts to an unfounded claim that this form of alternative medicine can cure ME. Sadly, there is currently no known effective treatment for ME. There has been a distinct paucity of research into this disease, compared to other long-term conditions, which means that ME is still without a cure.”
❛❛ The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership ❜❜
Harvey S. Firestone
The UK economy shrunk by 0.3% in the last quarter of 2023, placing it in a ‘technical recession’, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). A ‘technical recession’ happens when GDP contracts for two consecutive quarters; GDP fell 0.1% in the third quarter of last year. However, the ONS noted that, despite the two consecutive contractions, GDP is estimated to have risen by 0.1% in 2023 compared with 2022, the “weakest change in real GDP since the financial crisis in 2009”.
The 0.3% fall in Q4 was fuelled by decreases in all three main sectors: services, production and construction output. Between Q3 and Q4, the ONS estimated the UK economy contracted by a cumulative 0.5%. However, several professionals argued the economic downturn is expected to be “short and shallow” with “brighter times” lying ahead.
Passengers and businesses across London and the South East will benefit from 18 new flights per week between London Gatwick and Asia this summer, with major carriers Singapore Airlines, Air China, China Southern and Azerbaijan Airlines recently announcing new routes.
From June 1st, flag-carrier Air China will begin operating daily flights from London Gatwick to Beijing Capital Airport on A330-300 aircraft, before China Southern launches its three-perweek service to Guangzhou on June 20th, on Boeing 787-8 aircraft.
Renowned carrier Singapore Airlines –recently crowned the World’s Best Airline at the 2023 Skytrax awards – will begin flying five times per week to Singapore Changi Airport from June 22nd.
By this time, passengers will have already taken advantage of three flights per week to Baku, with Azerbaijan Airlines having launched its new service from London Gatwick on March 31st.
The four new routes mean from this summer, Gatwick will connect passengers with 81 flights per week to Asia, with other existing services including Dubai (Emirates); Zhengzhou (China Southern); Shanghai (China Eastern and Air China); Doha (Qatar Airways); and Goa, Kochi, Ahmedabad and Amritsar (Air India).
The additional routes will support not only passenger journeys but also regional and national trade opportunities. In 2023, the UK exported £37.5bn of goods and services to China – an 11.9% increase on 2022 – and £14.8bn to Singapore, a 10.7% increase on the previous year.
The flights will also provide an economic boost to the tourism industry across London and the South East, with Chinese visitors
spending an average of £1,937 per UK visit, and £1.71 billion in total in 2019, according to Visit Britain.
Stephanie Wear, VP Aviation Development, London Gatwick said: “These new services are fantastic news for both passengers and businesses across London and the South East, providing greater opportunities for tourism and trade.
“The new routes will provide huge connectivity potential, not only to the fantastic destinations of Singapore, Baku and across China, but more widely across Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. With significant increases in trade between the UK and Singapore, China and Azerbaijan in recent years, the services also provide exciting opportunities for local and regional businesses.”
❛❛ The four new routes mean from this summer, Gatwick will connect passengers with 81 flights per week to Asia ❜❜
In February, London Gatwick celebrated National Apprenticeship Week. The airport has a proud history of supporting apprenticeships, with its prestigious engineering programme now entering its 47th year.
During the week, the airport welcomed more than 110 local students and jobseekers to its brand-new STEM Centre for a careers fair. Alongside London Gatwick, ten other airport-based companies were on hand to provide insightful advice on STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) careers and job opportunities in the dynamic centre, including Boeing, Border Force, British Airways, the Civil Aviation Authority, easyJet, and SSP Group PLC, among others.
STEM subjects are critical skills for the aviation industry. Whether it is designing cutting-edge aircraft or ensuring smooth airport operations, STEM knowledge and skills are fundamental to the industry.
London Gatwick’s Northern Runway project has now moved into the examination phase. Last summer, the airport submitted plans to bring its existing Northern Runway into routine use alongside the Main Runway.
This forward-looking and low impact plan aims to use the airport’s existing infrastructure to unlock new capacity and improve passenger experience by reducing delays, in line with government policy. By investing in its long-term future, London Gatwick will also enhance the crucial economic role the airport plays, by creating around 14,000 new jobs and injecting £1 billion into the region’s economy every year.
❛❛ Whether it is designing cutting-edge aircraft or ensuring smooth airport operations, STEM knowledge and skills are fundamental to the industry ❜❜
London Gatwick was also delighted to host the regional final of Sussex’s First LEGO® League at the STEM Centre.
Eight teams from seven local schools took part in a thrilling and tense day of competition, following months of hard work from the participants. It even included a LEGO ® costume-building contest, judged by London Gatwick’s engineering apprentices.
Many congratulations to the winning team ‘the STEMinists’ from Uckfield College, who were presented their trophy by London Gatwick’s Head of Engineering Steve Kelso. They have won a behindthe-scenes tour of the airport as well as their ticket to the national finals.
❛❛ THE PLATINUM CLUB IS A REALLY WELL ORGANISED NETWORKING GROUP, WITH THE HOSTS HELPING TO FACILITATE TO ENSURE WE ALWAYS MAKE USEFUL, NEW CONTACTS AT EACH EVENT ❜❜ LLOYDS BANK
The Platinum Club is now in its 15th year and remains the pre-eminent networking forum in Sussex.
The Club launched based on no seated meals, no sponsors and no speeches – rather, an elegant but informal cocktail party with delicious hand-made canapés, and Platinum hosts making relevant introductions throughout the evening and all in the luxurious surroundings of the Grand Hotel, Brighton.
Apply here to attend the next event info@platinummediagroup.co.uk
❛❛ ALL BUSINESS IS BASED ON RELATIONSHIPS AND PLATINUM GIVES YOU THE PLATFORM TO CREATE THE MEANINGFUL HUMAN CONNECTIONS THAT MATTER ❜❜ BAILEY AND FRENCH
We meet once per month, excluding August. If you would like to attend an event, please get in touch info@platinummediagroup.co.uk
As annual membership is no longer required and we look forward to welcoming you to the most effective, enjoyable and lively networking group in the South
❛❛ WE SEE THE PLATINUM CLUB AS AN IMPORTANT AND INTEGRAL PART OF OUR BRAND AWARENESS STRATEGY, THROUGH INTERACTIONS WITH WELL CONNECTED BUSINESS PEOPLE AND OTHER INFLUENCERS. IT IS WELCOMING AND GREAT FUN TOO! ❜❜ MATTIOLI WOODS
Focus Foundation celebrated the return of its Winter Ball, by raising over £130,000 for Sussex-based charities
Focus Foundation delivered yet another incredible night of glitz and glamour at its recent Winter Ball, held on Saturday February 3rd at the DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole, raising £131,708 for Sussex-based charities.
Once again, the event played host to the LIVE grand finale of the Sussex Superstars with performances from five talented finalists: Mollie Thomson, Asher Chetwode, Grace Shearing, Arlo Giles-Buabasah and CC Dance (Olivia Pattison, Gracie-May Norburn, Brooklyn Pullin, Lola Baquedano-Deighton), and was hosted by comedian Aaron James along with a celebrity judging panel including Dame Arlene Phillips, Anita Dobson and Jacquie Brunjes.
Arlo Giles-Buabasah was crowned the winner of Sussex Superstars 2024, and took home a £500 cash prize. All of the contestants have been offered a chance to perform later this year at The Sussex Gin Festival, as hosted by E3 Events.
Guests were also treated to performances from Symphonic Ibiza, Emily Milton, winner of Sussex Superstars 2023 and Caitlin Palmer, finalist of Sussex Superstars 2023.
Packed with talent, the black-tie event attracted 450 people from local businesses and charities in support of its mission to connect communities to make a positive and lasting difference to people’s lives.
Focus Foundation’s core funding is directed at charities that support one of its three core pillars: underprivileged children and young people; mental health initiatives; and community projects.
50% of the proceeds from the Winter Ball have been ring-fenced for local charities; Children With Cancer Fund, You Raise Me Up, Brighton Table Tennis Club, Kangaroos Mid-Sussex and Brighton Therapy Centre. The other
❛❛ Packed with talent, the black-tie event attracted 450 people from local businesses and charities ❜❜
50% being distributed to other qualifying charities and projects in the county.
Speaking at the ball, Anita Dobson, legendary actress of stage and screen, and newly-appointed Patron of Focus Foundation said, “I’m thrilled to be back for a second year. This evening is all about joy and about helping people and raising money for Focus Foundation so they can do more good in the community for children.”
Chris Goodman, Co-Founder & Trustee of Focus Foundation responded, “We have been blown away by everyone who has played a part in making our Winter Ball this year such a success. These funds will have a huge impact on our charity beneficiaries and will allow us to continue making a positive and lasting difference to the people and communities they support.”
Headline sponsor for this year’s event was Giacom with supporting sponsors Gamma, TalkTalk, Skerritts, Creative Pod, HSBC, ITS and event partner E3 Events. The event Media Partner is Platinum Media Group. www.focusfoundation.org.uk
❛❛ This evening is all about joy and about helping people and raising money for Focus Foundation so they can do more good in the community for children ❜❜ Anita Dobson
Focus Foundation is a registered charitable organisation, and the philanthropic arm of Focus Group – a leading provider of powerful business technology services across IT, telecoms, connectivity, cyber security, mobile and energy. Founded in 2003, Focus Group supports over 30,000 businesses, with a team of over 900 and offices across the UK.
With its vision to connect customers, people, and communities at the heart of what they do, Focus Foundation was established in 2021 to support UK-based charities and social enterprises. Its principal ambition is to connect communities and make a positive and lasting change to people’s lives. Visit: www.focusfoundation.org.uk
*This image was created in AI
He may not be the boss at Microsoft any more, but the footprint Bill Gates has left on late 20th Century and early 21 Century society is beyond measure. Now the company, true to its vision of never standing still, is looking to invest colossal sums into the UK Tech sector.
Alan Wares looks back – and forward –at this omnipresent company
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates was born in Seattle on October 28th, 1955 and was known as William Gates III or “Trey” (meaning ‘three’).
When he was 13, he bought some equipment and a block of computer time on a General Electric (GE) computer for the school’s students. Gates took an interest in programming the GE system in BASIC, and was excused from maths classes to pursue his interest. He wrote his first computer programme on this machine; a version of tic-tac-toe (noughts and crosses) played against the computer. Gates was fascinated by the machine and how it would always execute software code perfectly.
If he was alienating some of the hobbyists, he was also gaining some more positive attention. In 1980, Gates and Allen were approached by IBM. The company was looking for assistance with its new personal computer, the IBM PC. Ultimately, Microsoft delivered a whole operating system, PC DOS, retaining the copyright and, in the process, making a name for themselves around the world.
The computer press soon caught on to the fact that Gates was the main player, with PC magazine declaring him ‘The man behind the machine’. Microsoft’s ascendancy to a world power arrived in 1985 when it released its first version of Windows. It was, apparently, rather popular, and eventually, omnipresent.
Gates graduated to Harvard but he remained in touch with Paul Allen, and worked with him at Honeywell during the summer of 1974. In 1975, a new computer was launched called the MITS Altair 8800 and they decided they wanted to write software for it.
In order to start their new company, Gates left Harvard and contacted the manufacturer, Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems (MITS) and
Gates soon learnt the value of his work but also had an early knack of upsetting the computer fraternity. As successful as Microsoft was, it always had its enemies, and was often prone to malicious hacking attacks, mainly because Gates persisted in his belief that software developers should be able to demand payment. It was, after all, a fairly new industry, and commercial rules were being written on a constant basis.
His operating systems and software revolutionised computing and made access to a computer more accessible. Talking to The Telegraph in 2008, Gates recalled, “When Paul Allen and I started Microsoft, we had big dreams about software. We had dreams about the impact it could have. We talked about a computer on every desk and in every home. It’s been amazing to see so much of that dream become a reality and touch so many lives.
I never imagined what an incredible and important company would spring
The rise of Microsoft brought with it its own rewards, and Gates – who had elevated himself over time from shopfloor programmer, to manager to a more corporate role – eventually found himself a billionaire. Several times over.
Gates’ (and Microsoft’s) rapid rise came with few rules attached. They were being written and learned as they went along. For everyone who saw Gates as a pioneer, there were those who saw him as a corporate bully.
There are many examples of Microsoft being hauled over the coals while Gates
❛❛ The biggest issue Microsoft constantly had to fight… was that its success had led to a monopoly
was at the helm, with the highest Courts in the US having to make judgements on the company and its practices – and far from all of them in Microsoft’s favour. The biggest issue it constantly had to fight – and it was by far not the only tech company that had to suffer this indignity – was that its success had led to a monopoly.
ered communism itself. Competition, goes the mantra, is king. And Gates was often accused of enforcing a monopoly. Internal practices were also criticised, making it a miserable place for many to work. To give an example of something which just wouldn’t be tolerated today, and that the corporate rulebook would consider was a horrendous mistake, Microsoft would pit employee against employee internally, meaning even if all people in a team were good enough –or even excel – at their job, one would have to go. Just because.
In 2017, research by Oxfam calculated that the eight richest men in the world hold the same amount of wealth as the bottom half of the world’s population, some 3.5 billion people. The wealth of the eight men is ‘biblical’ declared Gawain Kripke, Oxfam’s Director of policy and research. “Left unchecked, growing inequality threatens to pull our societies apart.”
Gates himself ultimately stated that, “Money has no utility to me beyond a certain point. Its utility is entirely in building an organisation and getting the resources out to the poorest in the world.”
Bill’s transformation from corporate leviathan to serial philanthropist can be credited to Melinda French, a woman ten years Gates’ junior, whom he met in 1987, four months into her job at Microsoft, when they sat next to each other at an Expo trade-fair dinner in New York.
They married in 1994 and, in a profile of the power couple, The Independent wrote, “Whatever first attracted Ms. French to Bill Gates, he was struck by her forthrightness and independence. It was she who first spurred him into impulses of charity. After their engagement in 1993, during Melinda’s wedding
❛❛ Gates’ transformation from corporate leviathan to serial philanthropist can be credited to Melinda French ❜❜
shower, her mother Mary, suffering from breast cancer, read her an admonitory letter whose gist was, “from those to whom much is given, much is expected”.
With Melinda, Bill founded and chairs the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - an amalgamation of the William H Gates Foundation (set up in 1994) and the Gates Learning Foundation – which works to save lives and improve global health. It was believed Melinda’s mother’s message that was the catalyst in setting up the William H Gates
Foundation. Run by Bill’s father, himself a prominent lawyer, its aim was to put laptops in every classroom. Then the couple decided that the most pressing issue in the US was reforming the education system.”
At first, Melinda was the driving force of the Foundation, but once Bill departed from his day-to-day role at Microsoft in the early 2010s, he threw himself into charitable work.
In 2005 Time magazine named Bill Gates and Melinda, along with Bono, as the Persons of the Year citing three people on a global mission to end poverty, disease and indifference.
In May 2021, Bill and Melinda Gates announced their decision to divorce in a joint statement on social media. This ended 27 years of marriage, and 34 years as a couple. According to The Wall Street Journal, Melinda had been meeting with divorce lawyers since at least October 2019 after Bill’s business dealings with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein became public, with her having warned him about associating with Epstein as early as 2013.
According to Fortune magazine in 2022, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which they both still run, is the secondlargest charitable organisation in the world by assets, with an endowment worth nearly $70 billion. Through the foundation, Gates has reportedly donated more than $50 billion since 1994 to eradicate diseases, promote education, and advance gender equality.
During the Covid pandemic, Gates was considered by media outlets as an expert on the subject, despite him not being a public official nor having any prior medical training. The tinfoil hatters, conspiracy theorists, Coviddeniers and other hard-of-thinking oddballs took it upon themselves to promote the notion that Gates had inserted nano-bots into vaccines in order to exert mental, physical and neurological control.
Back in the real world, his foundation did, however, establish the Covid-19 Therapeutics Accelerator in 2020 to hasten the development and evaluation of new and repurposed drugs and biologics to treat patients.
In January 2024, Microsoft announced a major AI infrastructure and skilling investment supported by a new partnership on security. According to the company, it will help the UK seize the artificial intelligence (AI) opportunity and ensure that AI innovation and safety progress together while creating jobs, improving services, and protecting public security. The investment will cover three key areas:
Capacity: First, Microsoft will invest in the UK’s AI infrastructure. Over the next three years Microsoft will spend £2.5 billion ($3.2bn) to expand its next generation AI datacenter infrastructure, bringing more than 20,000 of the most advanced GPUs to the UK by 2026.
Capability : Second, Microsoft will invest in broad-based AI talent and education programmes. To support UK workers across the AI economy, Microsoft will make a multi-million-pound investment to train one million people with the skills they need to build and work with AI.
As part of this skilling commitment, Microsoft will also turn all the lessons it has learned in operationalising responsible AI principles for its own AI engineers and developers, into learning modules for UK customers and partners. To help ensure Microsoft technical trainers are adhering to the ethics and principles of developing AI solutions responsibly they will all complete and attest to Microsoft’s “Responsible Generative AI” training.
Security: Third, Microsoft will invest in strong AI safety and security measures. These will cover both Microsoft’s own infrastructure and support for AI developers and customers deploying and using AI applications.
On the subject of climate change, Gates is unequivocal. He considers both climate change and global access to energy to be critical, interrelated issues. He has urged governments and the private sector to invest in research and development to make clean, reliable energy cheaper, believing that a breakthrough innovation in sustainable energy technology could drive down both greenhouse gas emissions and poverty, and bring economic benefits by stabilising energy prices. So far, too many governments are happy to switch off listening at that point.
Gates has sold or given away so much of his stake in Microsoft that he now owns little over 1% of shares. In 2010 Gates and Warren Buffett created the Giving Pledge, a promise to give at least half of their wealth to charity, and called on other billionaires to join them. More than 170 of the world’s richest people, including Mark Zuckerberg, Michael Bloomberg and George Lucas, signed up.
Bill’s journey from corporate suit to poverty campaigner owes much to the relationship with his now ex-wife, but there was another key influence. Gates was struck by the words of the pioneering American philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie.
Carnegie’s statement should be a mantra for everyone who finds themselves in a position of having more money than they can possibly spend: “No man can become rich without himself enriching others. The man who dies rich dies disgraced.”
Throughout employment history, references have played a substantial role in the recruitment process. However, given the relative sparsity of information supplied by employers today, Pam Loch of Loch Associates Group asks –is it time for a rethink?
Employment references first became popular during the Victorian era, when they were used by poorer individuals travelling across the country, who required written confirmation of employment to allow them to travel to take up a new role.
They have evolved into being an aid for future employers to determine if the candidate would be a good fit for a role, and validating what has been stated on CVs and/or during interviews. However, more recently, in fear of litigation, many employers are only providing factual references, confirming the dates the person was employed and in what role.
Has this now devalued the value of references? Should we lobby the Government to compel employers to
provide detailed references or take a different approach to relying on references nowadays?
Generally, there is no legal obligation to provide a reference. However, there are certain sectors – for example, financial services – where there is an implied contractual right to be given a reference, and employers may agree contractually to provide one.
❛❛ If a reference is given by an employer, there is an obligation established by caselaw to ensure that the reference is true, fair and accurate ❜❜
If a reference is given by an employer, there is an obligation established by caselaw to ensure that the reference is true, fair and accurate. As a result of the increase in claims being brought against employers who have given references which were not factually accurate, or included defamatory or discriminatory statements, the vast majority of employers now only provide a factual reference.
This has led to questioning the value of a reference which typically gives little insight into the suitability of a candidate or alerts them to any concerns. On the basis it’s unlikely the Government will introduce legislation to change the law, what else can you do to recruit the right person?
Loch HR has been helping clients do that with screening and psychometric tests which are becoming increasingly popular with employers. Integrating screening or psychometric tests into the recruitment process not only provides valuable information about a candidate, but they also provide a standardised and objective way to assess candidates and reduce the impact of personal biases in the evaluation process.
Psychometric tests assess a candidate’s personal traits. The tests can be tailored to specific job roles, ensuring that the assessment aligns
with the skills, abilities, and characteristics required for success in that particular position. Well-validated psychometric tests can have predictive validity, meaning they can indicate a candidate’s likelihood of success in a particular job role. This can lead to better hiring decisions and better job performance.
Psychometric tests can also efficiently screen a large number of candidates in a short period. By narrowing down the pool of candidates early in the hiring process, psychometric testing can result in a more cost-effective recruitment process. It also means employers can focus their time and resources on candidates who are more likely to be a good fit. Consequently, this should result in lower turnover rates, saving the employer time and resources associated with frequent hiring and onboarding.
Other screening tests Loch HR provides enable our clients to find out more about a candidate’s suitability, and include background checks such as employment history, academic qualifications, credit and fraud checks, fitness and propriety checks, DBS checks, right-to-work checks and
social media searches. All of these different checks are becoming more and more popular as they offer an employer a much more comprehensive overview of a candidate than a factual reference.
Employers could also carry out their own online research into candidates, reviewing social media and online presence on platforms such as Google, X, Facebook and LinkedIn. Not only would this offer insights into a candidate’s professional network, endorsements and engagement in relevant communities, any obvious red-flags in terms of communication style and interactions could be identified before even meeting the candidate. If you do plan to do this though, ensure you take a consistent approach for all candidates.
❛❛ More recently, in fear of litigation, many employers are only providing factual references ❜❜
Another way to assess a candidate is to require them to carry out a practical skills assessment. Candidates could complete tasks or assessments related to the specific skills required for the job, such as coding tests, writing samples, or other job-related exercises. This could be coupled with a technical interview which focuses on assessing a candidate’s technical skills and problem-solving abilities. Employers can then form a better view on suitability and identify strengths or identify any support or development needs.
Employers could also carry out ‘peer interviews’, involving current team members or colleagues in the interview process. This allows candidates to be evaluated by those who understand the team dynamics and can provide valuable input into selection of the ‘right fit’ for the role. Encouraging a potential candidate to take some time off to join you at work for a few hours or longer is a great way to assess a candidate. However, few candidates are likely to agree to do that in a tight recruitment market – unless it is a much sought after role!
Ultimately, in a world where employment references are adding less value to the recruitment process, the solution has to be choosing a combination of these alternatives to ensure a more thorough and wellrounded assessment. Without the benefit of detailed references, factual references can no longer be relied on.
If you would like to find out more about what our team at Loch HR can offer, which includes assisting you with a full pre-employment screening service and psychometric tests, or if you need help with you recruitment processes, please get in touch with me or email the team at ask@lochhr.co.uk
Dominic Mott has taken over as Head of Hurst College from Tim Manly, who has left the College to run the Hurst Educational Trust. Maarten Hoffmann sat down with Dominic to find out what his plans are for the school
Maarten Hoffmann: Welcome to your new role, Dominic. Can you describe your route to this appointment?
Dominic W Mott: I started at the College in 2015 as Head of the Senior School and was acting as the righthand man to Tim Manly, the Headmaster. I was, effectively, the Deputy Head. I have a great love and passion for Hurst, the culture, the setting - it’s just perfect for me and l didn’t want to go anywhere else. At the same time, l was keen to advance to Headmaster in my career progression.
I was fortunate that when Tim announced that he was intending to step aside, the Governors decided to hold onto me as his successor. A two-year plan was put into place to ensure a smooth transition, so l took over as Head of College in 2022.
The analogy we have used is somewhat like a DJ seamlessly blending one track into another. This, to me, perfectly describes the transition path.
MH: Let’s take you back to the start of your career, did you always intend to go into teaching?
DWM: Not at all. I’ve had quite a varied career to this point. Many of my friends went into the City and were making ludicrous amounts of money so l thought, ‘why not?’ Once there, l realised I had sold my soul to the Devil, and quickly recognised it was not for me.
Prior to university, I attended Sandhurst and become an Army officer commanding a platoon of soldiers. l learnt an awful lot about myself during that time. As a linguist, l spent a year in Madrid before entering politics as a
researcher for Andrew Mitchell, who was at that time the shadow Secretary of State for International Development.
Funnily enough, l recently found my school careers report, and it stated that the number one career l was best suited to was education – so that was a lightbulb moment. It even said it was a shame it was that l had decided not to pursue that route.
I then secured a job at Highgate School and just fell in love with it. Totally untrained, they gave me an A-Level class and told me to get on with it, and l never looked back. For me, it really is a vocation.
❛❛ I was fortunate that when Tim announced that he was intending to step aside, the Governors decided to hold onto me as his successor ❜❜
MH: What impact does your workload have on your personal life?
DWM: My partner is also a teacher, but it’s just the two of us for now; life is just too full at the moment for children. With Hurst being a day and boarding school, it never stops. The weekdays are full-tobursting. At weekends, we have such an intensive co-curriculum programme that Saturdays are full. It’s only on Sundays that l get to catch up on the week, prepare for the next – and then Monday rolls around. But l have to say, l love every minute of it.
MH: Now you are in the head role, what would you change about Hurst?
DWM: Not much, as Tim has handed over a school in robust health. However, one thing we are all agreed on is the need for increased diversity. We don’t have any international students, our student body is primarily white British, and l think ethnic diversity is very important.
It brings many new experiences to the students. It is not easy as Sussex is not particularly ethnically diverse. Regarding the teaching staff, we have changed much of the recruitment process to reflect that desire to make the student body and the staff common room more diverse.
MH: What do you think about the Labour plan to remove charitable status and enforce VAT on fees on independent schools should they get into power?
DWM: The best way to increase diversity is to increase the number of bursaries and scholarships we can offer to students to encourage socioeconomic diversity within the school. But if VAT is placed on fees, not only is that really tough for parents working two jobs and busting a gut to ensure their child has a first-class education but it will reduce our capacity to increase diversity through the bursary route.
Tim and the school have already done a lot of work through the Hurst Educational Trust to enable hundreds, if not thousands, of local state school children to benefit from what Hurst has to offer and that will continue at pace. What people are not talking about –aside from Platinum who l know has been keen to highlight this – is the massive impact such a decision will have on the state sector.
Very conservative estimates show that a minimum of 10% of independent school pupils will be priced out and forced into the state sector and, quite apart from that massive influx into already overcrowded schools, the infrastructure that would be required is mind-boggling. Then we have schools such as Hurst, who will have to make cost savings. Thankfully, we are in robust health but those economically marginal independent schools might well be forced to close – and that would be a tragedy.
MH: What is at the top of your list to change or improve?
DWM: The one thing l am determined to crack is to develop genuine independence amongst our pupils. Schools are very good at extrinsic motivation – the carrot and stick if you will. We can encourage, cajole, guide and support children from A to B and ensure they come out with great results. However, what will set them up far better for life is if we can give them the intrinsic motivation; to give them the self-knowledge and self-awareness to set their own goals, to coach themselves towards success and to adapt to the challenges of life without an adult telling them what to do. This route can really set them up for life.
❛❛ It’s only on Sundays that l get to catch up on the week, prepare for the next – and then Monday rolls around ❜❜
MH: Who is your customer - the pupil or the parent?
DWM: That’s an interesting one. As an independent school, the pupil is the client and the parent is the paying customer. However, there is sometimes a disconnect between what the pupil wants and what the parents want for their children.
Part of our cultural mission is to try to align those with what we as the third party want for the children. All parties want success but there can be some tension about how to go about achieving that success. Many children want that success without doing the hard work, for instance, and our mission is to ensure they understand that one cannot come without the other.
I always like to engage with the parents and prefer to hear if there are any problems sooner rather than later. From there, we can come up with the solutions before they become bigger problems. A genuinely great relationship with our parental body ensures a two-way conversation, and an open relationship between all three parties.
MH: You take all phones from the pupils at the start of the day. Personally, l think this is an incredibly important move in the right direction.
DWM: Absolutely. Mobile phones are not a major issue within lessons but they are during break times when they can greatly affect social interaction. Groups of pupils glued to their phones rather than talking to each other was the biggest driver for us. The pupils were not happy with this decision but as each new year group comes through, it has become accepted. Now – lo and behold! – we look around
at break time and see groups chatting, laughing and interacting. It has ultimately proved to be the right decision.
MH: I am sorry to say that we have come to the end of our time but l am delighted to hear what is going on at Hurst and l wish you the very best in the role and look forward to returning next year to see how you have been getting on. Many thanks.
DWM: Thank you Maarten, it has been a pleasure.
❛❛ Many children want that success without doing the hard work, for instance, and our mission is to ensure they understand that one cannot come without the other ❜❜
www.hppc.co.uk
Welcome to this monthly series for business owners, where myself and my team aim to demystify the corporate market and highlight trends in a non-technical manner
Many businesses wait for problems to emerge, rather than anticipating them. Early attention can save a lot of cost and aggravation later. Here is some food for thought, based on real examples.
Two brothers ran a communications business, which was growing quickly; one was considerably older than the other, but they complemented one another. Following divorce, the older brother remarried, a significantly younger woman; he then had a heart attack and died, leaving his 50% shareholding to his wife.
Short term, things went well, with decisions left to the active brother, and dividends shared. The older brother’s widow re-married, and her new husband began to throw his weight around. The active brother’s decisions, and executive remuneration were being challenged, and investment/growth were slowed down.
Given their very different positions, a price could not be agreed for the
surviving brother to buy out the widow’s shares. Eventually the business had to be sold, to avoid continuing degradation of value. While the sale provided an exit, the business could have achieved a better price if it had been able to continue growing, and shareholders had chosen the optimum time to sell.
We are often asked if a shareholder can be obliged to transfer some shares to a spouse on divorce? Whilst it is unusual in divorce for the shares in a
private company owned by one spouse, to be transferred to the other in a financial settlement, the value of shares will form part of the matrimonial assets divided in a financial settlement.
A requirement for the board to approve any new shareholder will avoid any risk of shares being transferred to a spouse. If liquid assets are limited, an individual shareholder can still be financially embarrassed, potentially depriving the business of a key asset (if an active shareholder is distracted/demotivated).
A pre-nuptial can help but may not be considered if a business is built during marriage. A company buy-back of some shares can also be useful (providing funds to help a shareholder meet financial commitments) but may disrupt the balance of control.
Unless the articles provide otherwise, dividends are shared equally by shares, meaning a non-active ex-spouse, could benefit from the work of the active shareholders. If there is no “drag along” right, a disruptive ex-spouse could leverage their position to refuse to join in a sale of the company.
❛❛ If you don’t want to waste money, but you want to avoid any of the more expensive consequences, book an hour with an experienced advisor ❜❜
A clearly drafted Will avoids disruptive family disputes – and disputes on estates are increasing. If, before death, all shareholders were actively working in the business, suddenly imposing a family holding may produce feelings of unfairness.
An obvious answer is for the remaining shareholders to buy out the shares of the deceased, and to provide for this in the articles; if the shares have a significant value, finance can be an issue.
Life insurance policies paid by the company can provide a cash sum for the estate, tied to an obligation to transfer shares. If life cover is to be used/ desired, it must be tied to ‘cross options’, to protect the continuing shareholders and the estate. A cross option means that the estate of the deceased can require the continuing shareholders
to apply monies from life cover to buy the deceased’s shares (put option), and continuing shareholders can require the estate of the deceased to transfer the shares (call option). The option route ensures no earlier transfer takes place for tax purposes.
Employees: Key employees can make good shareholders, angry ex-employees less so! A buy back right must be provided when the shares are issued.
Minorities: Minority shareholders may hold the majority to ransom on sale, if not subject to a “drag along” in the articles.
Statutory rights: All shareholders have a right not be to unfairly prejudiced. If active shareholders decide to increase their remuneration or benefits, this can result in damaging disputes.
Share options: A very useful way to offer an equity incentive to employees, without the risk of statutory shareholder rights; share options can be cancelled if employment ends.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
If you don’t want to waste money, but you want to avoid any of the more expensive consequences above, book an hour with an experienced advisor, to talk through the issues relevant for your shareholding group. Whilst ideal to go through this process when you set up your company, make sure the discussion takes place before an exit, or other key life events; the pressure that brings, makes it harder to reach agreement.
If you would like to discuss any of these themes further, please get in touch with either:
Jonathan Grant
Partner and Head of Corporate
Mobile: +44 (0)7912 087173
E: Jonathan.Grant@dmhstallard.com
Sam Jones, Head of Corporate Tax at Kreston Reeves, takes you through the Corporation Tax key dates
As the tax landscape continues to evolve, staying abreast of essential statutory obligations is imperative for businesses of all sizes.
One obligation is the payment of Corporation Tax, a significant aspect of a company’s fiscal responsibilities. In this article, we’ll delve into the key dates for UK Corporation Tax payments, whilst also highlighting the recent increases in HMRC’s late payment interest rates.
Understanding the deadlines for Corporation Tax payments is vital for businesses to maintain their financial compliance, regardless of size.
Small Companies: For smaller enterprises, the deadline for payment of corporation tax is nine months and one day after the end of their accounting period. For example, if the accounting period ends on December 31st 2023, the payment deadline would be October 1st 2024.
‘Large’ and ‘very large’ companies: Larger corporations need to pay their Corporate Tax liability by quarterly instalments, with the first payment being due before the period end has even passed, which can cause cashflow constraints. Entities are considered ‘large’ or ‘very large’ if their taxable profits exceed £1.5 million and £20 million respectively. These thresholds are divided by number of associated companies (including the company itself).
A company is an associated company of another if at any time during the accounting period either one of the two has control of the other or both are under common control. Control is determined by considering various factors in deciding whether two or more companies are associated.
For example, for accounting period ended December 31st 2023, the following quarterly instalment is due on the following dates:
First Payment Six months and 13 days Two months and 13 days after the first day of the after the first day of the accounting period, accounting period, i.e. July 14th 2023 i.e. March 14th 2023
Second payment Three months after Three months after the first instalment, the first instalment, i.e. October 14th 2023 i.e. June 14th 2023
Third payment Three months after the Three months after the (due after the end of the second instalment second instalment, accounting period) (14 days after the i.e. September 14th 2023 last day of the accounting period), i.e. January 14th 2024
Final payment Three months and Three months and 14 days after the last 14 days after the last day of the day of the day of the day of the accounting period, accounting period, i.e. April 14th 2024 i.e. December 14th 2023
Failure to meet these payment deadlines can result in penalties and interest charges, making it crucial for businesses to mark these dates in their financial calendars and work with their advisors to determine what tax is due and when payments should be made.
It is important to note that the deadline for payment of Corporation Tax is before the deadline for filing the Tax Return. If the Tax Return has not been finalised, we would recommend that companies pay their Corporation Tax based on an estimated liability to prevent interest and penalties accruing.
We are all aware that interest rates have increased recently, and interest costs are a significant burden for most businesses. In line with the Bank of England base rate rises, the late payment interest rate for Corporation Tax has seen a sizeable increase, now standing at 7.75%. This significant uptick marks a departure from the comparatively modest 2.75% interest rate that was in place in March 2020.
The 2.75% interest rate was considered manageable by businesses, and late payment penalties were not a major concern, especially as late payment of quarterly instalments were only
❛❛ Businesses hoping to effectively navigate the current financial terrain must keep themselves informed about important dates ❜❜
levied interest at 1.1%. However, the current 7.75% rate (6.25% for quarterly instalments) demands enhanced attention, emphasising the importance of adhering to payment deadlines to avoid unnecessary financial strain.
Equally, HMRC will pay you interest at annual rate of 4.25% for paying corporation tax early which is known as ‘credit interest’. Those within the quarterly payment’s regime may wish to consider overestimating their earlier instalments until the taxable profits for the period can be determined accurately to minimise the impact of the late payment interest.
In summary, the UK Corporation Tax landscape has evolved, with late payment interest rates standing at 7.75%. Businesses hoping to effectively navigate the current financial terrain must keep themselves informed about important dates and modify their financial plans accordingly. Remember, proactive financial planning and adherence to deadlines are the cornerstones of a resilient and thriving business.
If you have further questions or would like clarification on when your corporation tax liability is due, please contact Sam Jones:
Email: enquiries@krestonreeves.com
Call: 0330 124 1399
Visit: www.krestonreeves.com
By Mohsin Khan, Mayo Wynne Baxter
Business Property Relief (BPR) is a valuable tax relief provided by the government to encourage investment in certain business assets. It can be a crucial aspect of estate planning and Inheritance Tax (IHT) management.
Established in the United Kingdom in 1976, BPR aims to support entrepreneurship and facilitate the transfer of family-owned and small business assets by reducing or eliminating the burden of IHT. BPR is a complex and nuanced area, and understanding its intricacies is crucial for business owners, investors, and tax planners alike.
BPR provides relief from IHT on certain business assets when they are transferred either during lifetime or as part of an estate after death. The relief applies to two categories of assets:
n Trading businesses: BPR covers ownership in a trading business or interest in a partnership carrying on a trading business. A trading business typically involves activities such as manufacturing, retail, or providing services.
n Unquoted securities: BPR also applies to unquoted shares in companies that are not listed on a recognised stock exchange. These companies must be trading companies or holding companies of trading groups.
❛❛ Business Property Relief provides relief from Inheritance Tax on certain business assets ❜❜
It’s important to note that BPR does not apply to investment businesses, which are primarily engaged in activities like dealing in securities, stocks, shares, land, or buildings. To qualify for BPR, assets must meet certain conditions, including:
n Ownership period: The owner must have owned the business assets for at least two years before they become eligible for BPR.
n Material interest: In the case of unquoted shares, the owner must hold a material interest in the company, which generally means having at least 5% of the voting rights and share capital.
n Trading activity: The business must be engaged in trading activities rather than investment activities. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) provides guidelines to distinguish between trading and investment activities.
n Non-excluded assets: Certain assets, such as those held mainly for investment purposes, are excluded from BPR. These include assets like cash, listed shares, and property held for letting.
Meeting these conditions is essential for ensuring eligibility for BPR and reducing any potential IHT liability. BPR offers several benefits to business owners and investors:
n Tax efficiency: One of the primary benefits of BPR is its ability to reduce or eliminate the IHT liability on qualifying business assets. This can result in significant tax savings for individuals and families, especially those with substantial business interests.
n Facilitates business succession: BPR facilitates the smooth transfer of family-owned and small business assets from one generation to the next by minimising the tax burden. This helps preserve the continuity of the business and promotes entrepreneurship.
n Encourages investment: By providing tax relief on certain business assets, BPR encourages investment in trading businesses and unquoted securities, fostering economic growth and innovation.
n Supports estate planning: BPR is a valuable tool for estate planning, allowing individuals to mitigate the impact of IHT on their estates and preserve wealth for future generations.
Overall, BPR plays a crucial role in supporting entrepreneurialism, facilitating business succession, and promoting investment in the UK economy. While BPR offers significant tax benefits, there are certain considerations and limitations to be aware of:
n Complexity: BPR is a complex area of tax law with specific conditions and eligibility criteria. Seeking professional advice from tax experts or financial advisors is advisable to ensure compliance and maximise tax efficiency.
Business Property Relief is a valuable tax relief that provides significant benefits to business owners, investors, and families. By reducing the burden of Inheritance Tax on qualifying business assets, BPR supports entrepreneurialism, facilitates business succession, and encourages investment in the UK economy. It can also cater for the efficient transfer of wealth and smooth succession planning. However, navigating the complexities of BPR requires careful planning and professional advice to ensure compliance and maximise tax efficiency.
❛❛ Overall, Business Property Relief plays a crucial role in supporting entrepreneurialism, facilitating business succession ❜❜
n Valuation challenges: Valuing certain business assets for the purpose of BPR can be challenging, particularly for unquoted shares and businesses with unique characteristics. Accurate valuation is essential to determine the extent of relief available.
n Changes in legislation: Tax laws and regulations, including those related to BPR, are subject to change. It’s essential to stay informed about any legislative developments that may impact eligibility for relief.
n Alternative planning strategies: While BPR is a valuable estate planning tool, it’s important to consider other tax planning strategies and allowances that may complement or supplement BPR, such as the annual exemption, spouse exemption, and lifetime gifting.
Mohsin Khan
mkhan@mayowynnebaxter.co.uk
www.mayowynnebaxter.co.uk
New research conducted by global talent services company Morgan McKinley as part of its 2024 Salary Guide has revealed that 76% of technology hiring managers found recruitment ‘very’ or ‘quite’ competitive in 2023 across the UK
The Guide identified key challenges for 2024, with 25% of hiring managers citing a shortage of skilled candidates as their primary obstacle. Other challenges included difficulties in competing on pay and benefits (22%) and a lack of approval for new headcount (19%).
Despite the challenging market, things are looking brighter in 2024 with half of technology hiring managers revealing that they are increasing headcount in the first half of the year and 46% of technology workers are looking for new roles in that same period, with a further 31% considering a move.
Three quarters of technology professionals chose to stay in their current roles throughout the year, indicating a reluctance to change jobs due to concerns about being last in, first out. Nearly half (46%) expressed feelings of indifference, insecurity, or significant insecurity in their current positions.
When looking to move roles, technology workers value a higher salary (40%) the most, followed by career growth and development opportunities (14%), and ability to work fully remote (13%). Flexibility continues to be important with work from home and flexible working hours placing first and third respectively in technology professionals’ top five valued benefits - alongside bonus (second), health insurance (fourth) and pension (fifth). Technology had the greatest proportion of people who placed ‘work from home’ as one of their most valued benefits (71% picked it in their top five).
42% of technology professionals would prefer to be in the office one to two days a week, whilst just 8% want to be onsite five days a week. Over half (53%) would skip a pay rise if it meant they got the flexibility they desire. 69% of employers expect their salary offers to increase for certain hard-to-fill roles across technology, and a further 20% plan to increase salary offers for all technology teams.
The Morgan McKinley 2024 Salary Guide presents up-to-date and accurate salary data for a wide range of technology roles across the UK, providing hiring managers with industry benchmarks when they are working out what to pay employees and giving professionals more visibility over what they can earn. Research from 650 businesses and 3,400 professionals was conducted to find out what companies’ hiring intentions are for 2024, what the key motivators are for changing jobs, and what the expectations are for movement on salaries.
“Despite the challenging market, things are looking brighter in 2024 with half of technology hiring managers revealing that they are increasing headcount”
uk/salary-guide
For the Morgan McKinley UK 2024 Salary Guide, visit: www.morganmckinley.com/
By Jo Boxhall, Solicitor, Employment Team, DMH Stallard
Employers typically want to compromise as many claims as possible in settlement agreements offered to employees including future claims.
Clarifying some uncertainty about the ability to compromise future claims, the Court of Session in Scotland confirmed in Bathgate v Technip Singapore PTE Ltd, that settlement of a ‘particular complaint’ could include unknown future claims under the Equality Act 2010, if clearly identified. They do not have to be known, or in existence, at the time the settlement agreement is signed.
Mr Bathgate was made redundant in January 2017 and signed a settlement agreement. The settlement agreement provided for a further ‘additional payment’, calculated by reference to a collective agreement, which stated the payment applied to officers under 61 years old. Mr Bathgate was 61 when he was made redundant but expected to receive the additional payment.
The company decided not to pay him the additional payment because of his age. Mr Bathgate subsequently raised an age discrimination claim. The company argued the terms of the settlement agreement meant he could not bring the claim.
❛❛ Blanket waivers in settlement agreements, such as ‘all statutory rights’, remain insufficient to waive future claims ❜❜
The terms of the settlement agreement settled identified claims, including under the Equality Act 2010, and age discrimination and contained a general waiver of “...all claims, demands, costs and expenses of whatever nature
(whether past, present or future and whether under contract, statute, regulation, pursuant to European Union Law or otherwise)…” which the Court held was enough to preclude Mr Bathgate from continuing with his claim.
Blanket waivers in settlement agreements, such as ‘all statutory rights’, remain insufficient to waive future claims. To be effective, the particular proceedings or complaint must be adequately identified, either by description (e.g. `unfair dismissal’) or reference to the statute and section giving rise to the claim (e.g. s111 Employment Rights Act 1996).
Although not binding in England & Wales, the Scottish decision is highly persuasive and reinforces the importance of carefully drafted waivers within settlement agreements. Employers should seek to ensure particular complaints or claims are given a sufficient description and identified with reference to the statute to which they relate to.
If you would like assistance with employment law, including drafting settlement agreement waivers, then please contact Jo by emailing Jo.Boxhall@dmhstallard.com, or calling +44 (0)1483 467427
Since it first opened in 1996, Sussex Innovation has been based on campus at the University of Sussex. But what does that actually mean for its tenants?
Joseph Bradfield explains some of the advantages of an academic address
Why might a business owner look to be based on a university campus? Our hub at the University of Sussex in Falmer differs in a few ways from the other serviced office spaces that you can find nearby. For a knowledge-based business, the address “Science Park Square, University of Sussex” lends a certain amount of credibility and kudos. But for many tenants, our location has a much more direct strategic impact for their business.
For some companies involved in knowledge transfer partnerships with researchers at Sussex, being based at Sussex Innovation just makes sense. The hub provides a professional space
to host partners, investors and clients a few minutes’ walk from research and development taking place in the lab.
Businesses seeking research consultancy can also access a wide range of world-leading expertise through a close working relationship with the University’s Innovation, Business and Partnership Team, and bringing academic partners into a businessoriented space for meetings and planning sessions helps to facilitate a useful change in mindset.
❛❛ The hub provides a professional space to host partners, investors and clients ❜❜
Finding and hiring the best young talent is becoming an ever greater challenge for SMEs, and straightforward access to students is another benefit of a campus home for many of our tenants.
The University runs several placement schemes throughout the year, helping local employers and current students to experience working with each other and build stronger relationships. There are also numerous opportunities for postgraduates with highly specialised expertise such as data intensive science, behavioural psychology or materials engineering to match with relevant employers.
There have been several success stories in recent years of commercial enterprises exploiting intellectual property developed by the University’s researchers whilst based out of Sussex Innovation. A few of these ventures include:
Enterprise Therapeutics is dedicated to the discovery and development of novel therapies to improve the lives of patients suffering with respiratory disease. The company was co-founded by Prof Martin Gosling, a Professor of Molecular Pharmacology at the University of Sussex, who is also its Chief Scientific Officer. It benefits from a close working relationship with the University’s School of Life Sciences; Henry Danahay, the Head of Biology at Enterprise also holds an honorary position in the Sussex Drug Discovery Centre, which sits within the academic school.
The research team’s portfolio of therapeutics for cystic fibrosis and other similar diseases was fully acquired by pharmaceutical giant Roche in 2020, and the company has raised several multimillion pound investment rounds as its programmes progress through clinical trials.
❛❛ The University runs several placement schemes throughout the year, helping local employers and current students to experience working with each other ❜❜
CDO2
As industry partners of the University’s Quantum Systems and Devices research programme, CDO2 has supported the development of a new technique for imaging the current flow in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, which will ultimately improve battery cell performance and safety.
CDO2’s strategy involved securing funding from Innovate UK and the Advanced Propulsion Centre to commercialise the technology, and both partners have ultimately become part of a consortium advancing the UK’s EV manufacturing capabilities. The project is currently establishing a pilot production facility in Thurso in Scotland, before a new ‘Gigafactory’ – the first of its kind in the UK – is built to make the batteries.
www.sussexinnovation.co.uk
Advanced Material Development (AMD) is a leading developer of nanomaterial technology solutions to address industrial challenges through material science research. The company has a commercial contract with the Sussex Materials Physics Group and Chief Scientific Officer, Professor Alan Dalton.
New types of nanomaterials developed by the University’s researchers have been used for such varied applications as environmentallyfriendly RFID sensors for retail security tags, “smart tyres” that can measure strain and monitor for defects, and insulating panels used to test instruments for NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft.
AMD’s relationship with the University has been instrumental in raising a series of research grants to fund these programmes, as well as building relationships with customers for their innovations.
Michael Pay, award-winning financier and co-founder of EMC Corporate Finance takes us through the basics of what a corporate finance company does
Over the past year (or maybe that should be 30 years), I have written numerous articles along similar lines: “How to buy and sell a business,” “How to value a business,” “Mergers and Acquisitions –the pros and cons,” but recently, after our team won Corporate Finance Team of the Year, someone asked me “but what is corporate finance and who is a corporate financier?”
Like many of us in business, what seems obvious to ourselves, can be an anathema to others! So, I will try an explain. Corporate finance is the work performed to undertake transactions in business where there is some form of capital need or event, and a corporate financier is the person who advises clients on the subject.
Here’s a closer look at some of the areas of corporate finance advice:
Corporate financiers play a crucial role in the financial operations of companies, assisting them in raising capital, making strategic investment decisions, and optimising their financial structure. Essentially, a corporate financier acts as a trusted advisor to corporate clients, providing expert guidance on various financial matters to help them achieve their business objectives. Here’s a closer look at what corporate financiers do and how they add value to their clients:
One of the primary responsibilities of a corporate financier is to help companies raise capital to finance their operations, expansions, or acquisitions. This involves evaluating different funding options such as equity, debt, or hybrid instruments and structuring deals that align with the company’s financial goals and risk appetite. Corporate financiers leverage their expertise in financial markets and investor relations to identify potential sources of capital and negotiate favourable terms for their clients.
Corporate financiers play a key role in facilitating mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures by advising clients on valuation, deal structuring, due diligence, and negotiation strategies. They help companies identify suitable acquisition targets or merger partners, assess the financial implications of a transaction, and navigate regulatory and legal requirements. Corporate financiers also assist in securing financing for M&A transactions and optimising the postmerger integration process to maximise synergies and value creation.
Corporate financiers work closely with senior management to develop and execute comprehensive financial strategies that support the company’s growth objectives and enhance shareholder value. This may involve analysing market trends, conducting financial modelling and forecasting, evaluating investment opportunities, and formulating capital allocation policies. By providing strategic insights and financial expertise, corporate financiers help companies make informed decisions that optimise their capital structure, mitigate risks, and drive sustainable long-term growth.
Beyond traditional corporate finance activities, corporate financiers offer a range of strategic advisory services to help companies address specific challenges or capitalise on emerging opportunities. This may include strategic planning, market entry or exit strategies, capital budgeting, corporate governance, and shareholder activism. Corporate financiers serve as trusted advisors to corporate boards and executives, providing objective analysis, actionable recommendations, and ongoing support to enhance business performance and shareholder value.
As corporate financiers, our job is to guide and advise clients on the differing needs that the business has throughout its life for capital, where it can be obtained from and what is good value and what is bad value.
❛❛ As corporate financiers, our job is to guide and advise clients on the differing needs that the business has throughout its life for capital ❜❜
Take Client A, who came to us wanting to sell his business. The owner, a highly successful entrepreneur, wanted to sell his business and focus on other philanthropic areas of his life. Working with them over a number of months, two things became apparent. The first was that he still loved the cut and thrust of corporate life, and the second was that no matter whether they were actively involved in the day-to-day running of the business, they still had time for their philanthropic endeavours.
What we then realised was that the impact of selling the company would be to crystallise not just a significant capital gain, but also an Inheritance Tax problem. By cashing in, they would lose the benefit of what is known as Business Property Relief in the event of their death. Our advice was that rather than sell the business, they invest in more businesses, coupling their joy at seeing ambitious wannabe entrepreneurs succeed whilst protecting their wealth for the future.
Or consider Client B. Every year, the finance team had to refinance another loan as the company had numerous loans maturing at different dates. When the larger one came for renewal, we were
asked to help find the best deal. Reviewing the business, we advised that they refinance everything and added in a top up facility that means they would not have to look to finance anything for the next five years. This solution allowed the management team and finance function to focus on a longer term strategy, rather than the need to seek new finance every year.
These are just two examples of how a Corporate Financier can take a different approach to to achieve a better outcome for the client.
In summary, corporate financiers play a multifaceted role in guiding companies through various financial decisions and transactions, from capital raising and M&A to strategic planning and restructuring. By combining financial expertise with industry knowledge and strategic insight, corporate financiers help companies navigate complex financial markets, seize growth opportunities, and achieve their longterm objectives. Their contributions are instrumental in driving corporate success and creating value for stakeholders in today’s dynamic business environment.
Michael Pay is co-founder of EMC Corporate Finance –the South East’s pre-eminent award winning corporate finance team. Michael recently won Dealmaker of the Year, crowning him as the best dealmaker in the region.
By James Turner Head of Commercial at Creative Pod
The multi-award-winning agency, Creative Pod, has gained the prestigious ‘The Drum Recommends’ for the third consecutive year, securing its status until January 2025. It is also thrilled to announce it gained its Webflow Expert accreditation (valid until December 2024).
The Drum Recommends is a global media platform that individuals and businesses can use to find top-rated agencies recommended by their clients, helping them make faster and better decisions.
Sarah Lyons, Marketing Director, said: “We work incredibly hard to gain The Drum Recommends accreditation, and I am particularly very proud of it. When individuals and businesses are looking to work with an agency, it can be difficult to find the right one, but Drum Recommends helps resolve some of those initial pain points. Thank you to all the clients who went through the process of reviewing us, we are incredibly grateful to them!”
Creative Pod was also thrilled to take the top spot on the leadership board and was rated as the Top Agencies of the Month throughout February.
❛❛ We’re thrilled our web design and development expertise is recognised by Webflow ❜❜
Gordon Dowling, Head of Creative
The Webflow Expert accreditation is designed for freelancers and agencies who want to demonstrate their skills and showcase that they are certified Webflow Partners. This recognition distinguishes an agency from its competitors, indicating that the web development team has undergone training and exams to attain this prestigious certification.
Gordon Dowling, Head of Creative, said: “We’re thrilled our web design and development expertise is recognised by Webflow. I’m super proud of the team for attaining Webflow Expert accreditation, it pays testament to their remarkable efforts delivering outstanding, high-performing digital experiences for our clients.”
If you want to collaborate with an agency that prioritises accreditations and follows industry best practices, contact www.creativepod.uk.com
❛❛ Creative Pod gained the prestigious ‘The Drum Recommends’ for the third consecutive year ❜❜
Thursday, January 25th 2024 marked the first Property Professional Lunch of the year, and the atmosphere was vibrant with the familiar camaraderie. Hosted by Sophie Campbell-Adams, Director and Solicitor at Britton and Time Solicitors, the event welcomed both returning and new sponsors, as well as business professionals from across Sussex.
Among the returning sponsors were Lee Jones and the Connect Media team, reprising their roles as the print sponsor, and Rockinghorse Children’s charity as the charity partner. Joining them this year, we were delighted to welcome Steve Taggert from My Getaways as the headline sponsor and Maarten Hoffmann from Platinum Media Group as the media sponsor.
For those eager to secure their spots at the second event of 2024, scheduled for Thursday, April 25th, tickets are already on sale. Act fast to snag early bird tickets, as they tend to sell out quickly.
You can book your tickets via Eventbrite by scanning the QR code.
Alternatively, for an exclusive invitation, feel free to reach out to Sophie at sca@brittontime.com Ensure you don’t miss out on another memorable gathering of industry professionals.
❛❛ Of all the multitude of networking events I attend, the Property Professionals Lunch stands out for me because once a quarter, this large number of property focused business owners gather together. Interestingly a large proportion of them don’t network at any of the other mainstream events, so if this is your sector or you simply want to engage with property related businesses, this is a great event for you to attend ❜❜
Chris Mansfield, Fusion The Business Catalyst❛❛ With so many networking events in Brighton & Hove, it is easy to get swamped with recommendations. However, the quarterly Property Professionals Lunch has been one we consistently support and attend. It was great to be back for the first event of 2024, catching up with new and familiar faces following the Christmas and New Year break - discussing opportunities and challenges we are all likely to face this year in the property and construction industry. A special mention to Sophie Campbell-Adams and the team for organising and hosting yet another really successful event ❜❜ Ashley Harrison, PMR Architecture
❛❛ The Property Professionals’ lunch has to be one of my favourite networking events. The room is filled with positive energy and a diverse group of professionals. It’s also great to connect with so many likeminded women taking the industry by storm ❜❜
Rachelle See, CSEE Capital Partners
CONNECT MEDIA Connect is a team with years of industry knowledge and experience bringing together the very latest technology with traditional methods to produce creative printed marketing solutions.
ROCKINGHORSE CHILDREN’S CHARITY It raises money for life-saving equipment, specialist projects and enhances services for sick babies, children and young people throughout Sussex.
MY GETAWAYS My Getaways provides amazing accommodation to rent all over Sussex. Not only this but it also provides top-notch recommendations for things like food and drink, nightlife and places to shop.
PLATINUM MEDIA GROUP the leading voice of business in the South East, specialising in magazine publishing and event management. Platinum publishes the largest circulation business magazines in the UK and owns all the major business award events across the region.
Adding prestige to the occasion, our headline sponsor, Steve Taggert, took the stage as the guest speaker. He shared insightful thoughts about the building of his company, leaving the audience both informed and inspired.
So, who are the best businesses in the Gatwick Diamond region? You’ll need to wait until March 21st to find out, but the finalists in each of the categories for the prestigious Gatwick Diamond Business Awards have now been announced
The Gatwick Diamond is home to a vast range of businesses, spanning all sectors of the economy, from household names to niche companies; and from multinationals to sole traders. So, the winner of a Gatwick Diamond Business Award must stand out in this impressive business community.
All Award winners will have shown innovation and inspiration in their work and demonstrated a real commitment to this world-class economic area.
Winners will be announced on March 21st, in the Empress Suite of The Grand Brighton, where our celebrity host, Simon Brodkin, will present the Awards and entertain us through the evening. A special thank you goes to all of our sponsors, in particular our Headline Sponsors – London Gatwick, Elekta Ltd, The Arora Group and Birketts LLP.
The evening will get off to a fl ying start with a pre-dinner reception sponsored by Cleankill Pest Control and will be rounded off in style with live music and an opportunity to network and celebrate at our After-Show Party.
Sally Brown, General Manager of Gatwick Diamond Business said, “We would like to thank all the people who took time out of their busy schedules to prepare and submit awards entries this year. We congratulate those who have made it to the fi nal three in each category. The entries get stronger year on year, so that in itself is a huge achievement and worthy of celebration”.
For more information visit: www.gatwickdiamondbusinessawards.com
The finalists in each category are:
Sponsored by Chichester College Group
• Reuben Medhurst - DPR Motorsport UK
• Aaron Calliste - North East Surrey College of Technology
• Billy Marsh - London Gatwick
Sponsored by Rosemary French OBE
• Jason Payne - EBISS UK
• Tanya Addison - Elekta Ltd
• Karen Farley - Delta Security Management
Sponsored by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
• Creative Pod
• Espresso Solutions
• Kingsway Care
Sponsored by Elekta Ltd
• OHM Energy
• Espresso Solutions
• Eshcon Ltd
Sponsored by JetBlue
• Avtura Ltd
• Elekta Ltd
• PVL UK
Sponsored by University of Sussex Business School
• Commtel Ltd
• Chess Dynamics
• PVL UK
Sponsored by Platinum Media Group
• AC South
• Jarvis Brown Associates
• Cocktail Connoisseurs
Sponsored by Wessex IT
• EMW
• Birketts LLP
• Mayo Wynne Baxter LLP
Sponsored by Flexibility Matters
• Richard Place Dobson
• Roffey Park Institute
• Creative Pod
Sponsored by Crawley Town Centre BID
• North East Surrey College of Technology
• Search Seven
• Rubix VT
Supported by Birketts LLP
• Nutfield Priory Hotel and Spa
• Cleankill Pest Control
• Roffey Park Institute
Sponsored by University of Sussex
• Comply Sense
• SOS Systems
• Sea Change Wine
Sponsored by Richard Place Dobson
• Hayley Peacock - Atelier 21 Future School
• Paul Bates - Cleankill Pest Control
• Gary Tomlinson - SOS Systems
Sponsored by Crawley Borough Council
• PRSNT Ltd
• Kingsway Care
• Servo Private Wealth BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (OVER £1M TURNOVER)
Sponsored by EMW
• Chess Dynamics
• Espresso Solutions
• Runway Training
This prestigious award recognises outstanding personal contribution to making the Gatwick Diamond a great place to do business. It celebrates personal commitment to the Gatwick Diamond and extended leadership rising way above the individual’s direct business or professional responsibilities.
Follow us on social media
X - @gdbizawards
LinkedIn - Gatwick Diamond Business Awards
Instagram - gatwickdiamondbusinessawards
Rockinghorse Children’s Charity welcomed some of the UK’s most well-known and successful comedians to their very first Comedy Night at the Theatre Royal, Brighton on February 7th
The Comedy Night, the first that the Sussex children’s charity has organised, saw a full house enjoy sets from Joe Wilkinson, Katherine Ryan, Maisie Adam, Tom Davis and Suzi Ruffell, with Jen Brister comparing.
Along with this stellar lineup, the audience was also treated to a fabulous surprise guest in the form of Joe Lycett, who wasn’t advertised on the original
bill but was able to find time to come along.
The event, kindly sponsored by SRC Corporate Finance, was the idea of Rockinghorse CEO Donna Holland and Brighton resident Joe Wilkinson. It was Joe who was able to organise the amazing lineup of comics, all of whom gave their time free in order to support Rockinghorse.
“Rockinghorse is a great local charity that does such a wonderful job in supporting families going through some really challenging situations. I’m over the moon that some of the best comics in the country agreed to come along and be funny for such a brilliant organisation,” said Joe Wilkinson.
Members of the audience had a wonderful evening, with every single set a side-splitter. Adam Marshall, who came along with some friends, said, “There was so much energy in the room and the atmosphere was wonderful. All the comics were hilarious, and the line-up was second to none. And then the added surprise of Joe Lycett just made the evening even more special.”
❛❛ Along with this stellar lineup, the audience was also treated to a fabulous surprise guest in the form of Joe Lycett ❜❜
Donna Holland, Rockinghorse CEO, was blown away at the reaction to the evening and the support shown by so many wonderful comedians and the local community. She said, “Events like this don’t happen very often and for this one to have taken place in aid of Rockinghorse is just amazing. The money we have been able to raise this evening will make a huge difference to so many babies, children and young people.
“On behalf of the team at Rockinghorse, I would like to say an enormous thank you to everyone who bought tickets and came along, to our sponsors SRC Corporate Finance, and of course to all the comedians who made us laugh, made our work possible and made this a real night to remember.”
The revenue is still be calculated but it will be in excess of £30,000 with every penny going to help the children. Bravo to Donna and the entire Rockinghorse team!
www.rockinghorse.org.uk
Cleankill Pest Control has added to the company’s accolades for its efforts to be more sustainable with a win at the inaugural London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Awards
Cleankill won the Silver in the South Western Railway Sustainability Award category beating companies from a range of sectors based in London.
Organised by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the awards recognise the talent and dedication found in London’s small and medium-sized business community. The winners were announced during a gala dinner at the Park Plaza London Riverbank hotel.
Paul Bates, Managing Director of Cleankill Pest Control, said: “To be shortlisted for these prestigious awards was amazing, Then to find we had won Silver was really fantastic. With the focus on London businesses, the competition was very strong but the judges recognised the progress that we are making to be as sustainable as possible and we clearly stood out from the crowd.
“Cleankill strives to differentiate itself from other pest control companies by operating in a way that limits the environmental impact of our services. The programme is also about making a small contribution to global carbon reduction and the issues facing our planet.
“In today’s world, an organisation’s success should not just be reflected in its profit and loss statements. Rather, to get an accurate, well-rounded perspective of their operations and relationships with the environment, community and economy, businesses must fully account for all costs associated with doing business by going beyond compliance.
❛❛ At Cleankill, we believe that, while generating profit is vital, it shouldn’t be the primary motive for pursuing environmentally friendly business practices ❜❜
“At Cleankill, we believe that, while generating profit is vital, it shouldn’t be the primary motive for pursuing environmentally friendly business practices – protecting the planet’s resources and wildlife alongside compassion for those most affected by the climate crisis, should be.”
Cleankill has won several other sustainability awards including the Sustainability Award in the BPCA Member Awards 2023, while Paul was a finalist in the Director of the Year –Social Value and Sustainability Impact IoD London and South Director of the Year Awards in 2020.
On the back of the company’s efforts, Paul Bates has been invited to speak at PestEx 2024 – the pest management show – on March 14th at Excel London. His talk is called ‘How to Navigate a Sustainable Future’.
While writing this, just in is the news that Paul Bates has been named a finalist in the Business Person of the Year category of the Gatwick Diamond Awards 2024, while Cleankill is a finalist in the Award for Customer Delight category.
Cleankill’s staff are highly trained and offer an exceptionally fast and efficient level of service. The company holds ISO9001, ISO14001 and Altius Elite Vendor accreditations. Cleankill is also fully accredited to the Safecontractor, Constructionline and Achilles Health and Safety schemes and aims to be recognised as a market leader for innovation and new pest control techniques.
Cleankill Pest Control is a member of the British Pest Control Association. The company has been providing pest control for commercial customers for more than 25 years using the most up-to-date technology available and the latest techniques to keep premises pest free.
For expert advice and a free survey contact Cleankill Pest Control on 020 8668 5477. www.cleankill.co.uk
DISCLAIMER: All views stated here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this publication
A cosmetic surgery chain has sparked a backlash after suing customers who left bad reviews online.
Signature Clinics, one of the largest cosmetic surgery chains in the UK, has come under fire after threatening to silence critics and disgruntled former patients. Kate Kronenbach was being sued for up to £10,000 after being left disappointed with her arm-lift surgery in April 2022, and posting a negative review on Trustpilot about it in May 2023.
The 51-year-old carer said she was ‘intimidated’ by the lawsuit being launched by Signature. Not only did they threaten to sue her but stated that she could lose her house, could be made bankrupt and could go to jail if she did not stop her ‘itchy fingers’ online.
They also accused her of having ‘psychological problems’.
Obviously, it is impossible to be jailed for an online review. Therefore, this is threatening behaviour at its worst.
Speaking to The Times, she added: “I felt let down. I was posting my own honest opinion about how I was treated so that other people researching this surgery could make an informed
❛❛ It is impossible to be jailed for an online review. Therefore, this is threatening behaviour at its worst ❜❜
decision. To face legal action is very intimidating.”
Another patient, Mohammed, said he is being sued after leaving a negative review in July 2022 following his blepharoplasty, a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the eyelids, in May 2023. He said he can no longer completely close his eyes and said: “The surgery was something to boost my confidence, but I wish I never did it.”
Signature, owned by GP Dr Sayani Sainudeen, claimed negative reviews had cost it trade, with people cancelling treatment - but it said it could not comment on specific details as legal action was under way.
It is under way no more, and the judge has ruled against Signature Clinic, and Judge Neil Downe criticised the clinic for bringing oppressive legal action and for making threats. He concluded the case was ‘totally without merit’. The clinic is proceeding with four other cases, all of which, one presumes, it will lose.
The Free Speech Union (FSU), who assisted Ms Kronenbach and three others facing defamation proceedings, claimed the actions were strategic lawsuits against public participation (Slapps) typically brought by corporations or individuals –like journalists – with the intention of harassing, intimidating opponents by abusing the legal system.
Toby Young, General Secretary of the Free Speech Union, told MailOnline: “Unhappy customers should be able to tell people about their bad experiences on sites like Trustpilot without fear of being sued for defamation.”
The legal action taken by Signature appears to be the first major attempt to silence customers for giving negative reviews online, and it has failed miserably – as indeed it should. Judge Neil Downe of Stoke-on-Trent County Court concluded that the case was ‘totally without merit’ and criticised Signature for bringing oppressive legal action and making threats as an abuse of process. The Judge stated that the claim that she has psychological problems was an aggravating factor, and will determine costs at a further hearing. Signature Clinic describes itself as one
❛❛ The legal action taken by Signature appears to be the first major attempt to silence customers for giving negative reviews online, and it has failed miserably ❜❜
of the country’s leading groups that provide cosmetic, non-surgical and hair restoration treatments. It insists it is a reputable brand that carried out 7,000 procedures last year and has treated more than 20,000 patients. However, the firm has come under fire, with an inspection by the Care Quality Commission rating its Manchester clinic as ‘inadequate’.
The site, which carried out 1,722 procedures in a year, was found to not have enough nursing and support staff with the correct qualifications to keep patients safe. Health monitors also said leaders
‘did not have the skills and abilities to run the service’.
The increasing attempts to silence those who wish to post their honest opinions online is abhorrent and must be resisted at all costs. It is up to the company to contact customers who are not happy and fix the issue, along with ensuring happy customers post their positive reviews. Resorting to foul intimidating threats can never stand, and thanks heavens the judge saw fit to make the right judgement.
There are two very distinct sides to Costa Rica, with the western coast on the north Pacific Ocean and the eastern coast being part of the Caribbean Sea. The latter is often overlooked in favour of the Pacific side, which has more infrastructure and is more easily accessible, but that is changing.
For better or worse, the Caribbean side is getting more attention since the start of the construction of a double highway from the capital, San Jose. But its laid-back vibe still prevails and I’m happy to say I can’t see that changing anytime soon.
The Costa Rican Caribbean covers over 200 miles of coastline with the port city of Limon dividing it between north and south. The main attraction to the North is Tortuguero National Park, famous as a
nesting ground for Green Sea, Leatherback and Hawksbill turtles. However, we visited outside of the nesting season (July - Oct) and decided to head to the southern side of Limon province and to the tiny town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
Still off the beaten path, rustic and rasta – we loved it. Puerto Viejo embodies the essence of Pura Vida, the Costa Rican philosophy of pure life, where relaxation and enjoyment take precedence. The town’s dusty streets are lined with murals depicting local legends and scenes from nature, while reggae bars and open-air cafes pulsate with energy day and night. It’s all bustling but very easy-going at the same time. The reggae beats and warm hospitality of the locals create an atmosphere that is uniquely Caribbean.
Some of the best beaches can be found around here too, each with its own unique charm. Playa Cocles, with its golden sands and excellent surf breaks, attracts wave riders from around the world seeking the perfect barrel. Further south, Playa Chiquita attracts visitors with its tranquil coves and swaying palm trees, ideal for a lazy day of sunbathing or snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters.
For those craving adventure, the surrounding rainforest offers a playground of activities. Hiking or biking through the dense jungle trails of Cahuita National Park reveals a treasure trove of biodiversity, including howler monkeys, sloths, and vibrant birdlife.
Ticos (Costa Ricans in local dialect) are very industrious and you will find plenty of activities offered. You can have a look at online booking sites, but also check out the notice boards outside supermarkets to find surf lessons, kayaking tours, hiking tours, psychedelic ceremonies, rum tasting session etc. It’s the type of place where you can go without having booked a thing and still end up experiencing plenty.
❛❛ For those craving adventure, the surrounding rainforest offers a playground of activities ❜❜
The area’s melting pot of cultures is reflected in its cuisine, with influences ranging from Afro-Caribbean to indigenous flavours. Local sodas (small eateries) dish up mouthwatering plates of rice and beans, spicy chicken, and fresh seafood, while beachfront grills serve up grilled lobster and ceviche paired with hefty cocktails.
This area of Costa Rica isn’t renowned for four- or five-star luxury but you will be able to find a handful of places at very reasonable prices. I would suggest choosing somewhere south of Puerto Viejo, in the Gandoca National Reserve of Manzanillo to really get a feel for the natural area. We chose Almonds and Corals Resort – and fully immersed we were.
The lovely little wooden bungalows are in the rainforest and they only have netting for walls, meaning we were literally sleeping in the rain forest, albeit with very comfy beds and luxury amenities. The howler monkeys were frequent visitors, and spotting sloths happened near daily.
It’s perfect for getting away from it all but be warned – given the ‘no wall’ situation, I wouldn’t suggest it for louder families or say, honeymooning couples. After a few days, we moved slightly north of Puerto Viejo to explore the area there. Our stay was in lovely traditional casita, of which there are many to choose from. The area is now booming with an influx of tourists and the options for accommodation is keeping pace.
Costa Rica’s weather is anything but straight forward and regions can be dramatically contrasting. The Caribbean Coast is tropical and generally hot, humid, and rainy year-round. February, March, September and October are the driest months.
There are daily indirect flights from Gatwick, Heathrow and London City Airport. The total journey time is generally between 14 – 17 hours, including one stop over.
I would suggest booking a chauffeured car or a shuttle to get from the airport to the Caribbean coast. Prices are reasonable. A rental car is always great to get around with while travelling but the highway to Limon is still under construction and you may well end up stuck in traffic. Tuk-tuks are the favoured way to get around on the coast.
You’ll be forgiven for thinking that Costa Rica is a cheaper country, on par with its neighbours but it isn’t necessarily so any more. Accommodation can still be moderately priced but a one-course meal for two in an average restaurant can easily add up to $40. One ‘average’ restaurant charged us $33 for a burger. One burger.
This can be mitigated by eating at sodas, where food is tasty and cheap. Groceries aren’t much cheaper than they are in the states.
One of the loveliest experiences I had in Costa Rica was my visit to La Paz Waterfall Gardens, yet, it happened by chance. Somehow, I had not come across it during my extensive research before my travels. Located only one hour’s drive from the capital, San Jose, and on the way to the popular coastal area of Arenal, it’s a must-visit. It’s also easily combined with a visit to Paos volcano.
A garden is not the right description; it is a privately-owned eco-tourist park with
well-kept hiking trails up to 3.5km long, taking you on journeys encountering five awe-inspiring waterfalls en route. Moreover, they wander through zoo-like exhibits (all the animals were rescued and deemed unable to be reintegrated into the wild), including the largest butterfly conservatory in the world and a huge hummingbird haven where you’ll be so close to these delicate little birds that you may even get a perfect photo of one in its hovering flight.
Close encounters won’t stop there as you meander through the spacious aviary and delve into a serpentarium and ranarium (frog sanctuary), observe wild cats during feeding sessions, and immerse yourself in the lush rainforest populated by monkeys and sloths. The flora of both the cloud and rainforest of this sanctuary won’t disappoint either with amazing greenery everywhere, and a stunning bromeliad collection and orchid paradise.
La Paz can be experienced as a half-day trip or tour but then you’ll miss the chance to step into a realm reminiscent of a fairy tale by staying at the opulent Peace Lodge. It consists of lavish villas
boasting majestic valley panoramas, cozy fireplaces, private decks with jacuzzis, and expansive bathrooms adorned with waterfall showers. Guests enjoy complimentary access to the gardens. With its imaginative ambience, numerous pools, and interactive animal encounters (such as toucan and hummingbird feeding), this destination promises to delight children and families alike.
A visit to La Paz promises one of the most unforgettable tours of Costa Rica, making it a beloved destination in the Central Valley. All that’s left for me to say is visit this remarkable country that has so much to offer.
https://waterfallgardens.com
By Motoring Editor, Maarten Hoffmann
My favourite Ferrari of all time is the Dino, so named in honour of Enzo Ferrari’s late son, Alfredo Dino Ferrari, credited with designing the V6 engine used in the Dino. It was a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive beauty, produced from 1957 to 1976. In my eyes, it is one of the most beautiful cars ever created. The Dino was a sub-brand and was phased out to ensure all their cars were branded purely Ferrari.
So, here is its replacement, the 296 GTB. It is very beautiful and proves that finally, Ferrari has got its heads round the electric revolution, with its V6 hybrid powertrain. The aluminium chassis and strictly two seats help with limiting the weight, while slotted under the parcel shelf is a 7.45kWh, 70kg battery pack. That feeds a 165bhp electric motor. This motor can be used up to 84mph but the main aim is for the car to be quiet as a church mouse as it crawls thought traffic.
It’s a bit of a revolution; it’s Ferrari’s first ever production V6. The Dino was a sub-brand, remember. Look deep and you’ll spot the famous red crackle covers, but they’ve been prised further apart, with the banks opened out to 120 degrees. Pride of place in the engine bay now goes to a curvaceous burnished metal heat plate. Under it, nestling in the ‘hot vee’ of the cylinder banks, lie a pair of IHI turbos shared with the SF90. The turbines at both ends are slightly smaller, so they can spin faster (180,000rpm), run more efficiently (by 24%) and respond quicker.
‘Is it quick?’ l hear you say… Well, how about 830bhp, V6 twin-turbo, launching to 8,500rpm with max torque only arriving at 6,250rpm? Nor does it
come across as particularly electrified. The turbos and e-motor are there to enhance the V6, not to be the stars of the show in their own right. Of course there’s masses of zero lag bottom end grunt, but the way it’s blended is genius. You can deceive yourself into thinking you’re driving an especially healthy naturally aspirated engine.
And it sounds good too, higher pitched and richer toned than the F8 Tributo’s flat V8 blare, it’s more fizzy and energetic. Ferrari claims its engineers nicknamed it the piccolo V12 – little V12 – it doesn’t have the trumpeting baroque glory, the proud Roman pomp of an 812 in majestic full flow, but l can see where they’re coming from.
❛❛ Body control on smooth surfaces is immaculate, traction effortless, everything operates in balance and harmony ❜❜
The original Dino
On the road it’s smooth, intimate and connected. The steering’s super fast, but Ferrari is on top of that now, so trust in the front end comes naturally. It’s not super-rich in road detail, but it’s massively satisfying to turn: the weighting, the resistance, the connection – all are superb. Body control on smooth surfaces is immaculate, traction effortless, everything operates in balance and harmony, it never feels heavy or caught out. It just carries you along, wants to entertain and amuse; alert and playful.
And when you get to a village you can press the ‘haptic eD’ button on the lower left of the steering wheel and have a claimed 15 miles of e-range. OK, it’s more like 10, but the point stands. You can go into stealth mode and roll silently through. Supercars are attention seekers, heard before they’re seen, but here’s that extra dimension that electricity brings – soundless progress and a more accepting audience.
The interior is not much changed from many other models but it is all well laid out; vital buttons at your fingertips. I have to say it has a whiff of McLaren about the interior and sadly, the Ferrari peeps will now likely send me to Coventry for uttering such sacrilege.
McLaren’s having some sleepless nights, that’s for sure. Both fi rms will say the Artura (670bhp and £182,500)
MODEL TESTED:
Ferrari 296 GTB
POWER: 830 bhp
SPEED: 0-62 - 2.9 seconds
TOP: 205 mph
ECONOMY: 44.1 mpg combined
PRICE FROM: £241,560
❛❛ Right now, no-one builds a better mid-engined supercar than this. And it’s a V6 ❜❜
isn’t a direct rival, but they’re just dancing around each other. Right now, no-one builds a better mid-engined supercar than this. And it’s a V6. I think it’s less of a step change to lose a pair of cylinders than it was to add a pair of turbos. The purity of the product shifted fundamentally when 458 became 488 back in 2015. This, in a very modern way, is getting back there.
CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
What would you tell your younger self?
The Dynamic Festival: Book now!
The gender funding gap
The investment landscape
HELP TO GROW University of Brighton WELLBEING Mineral water
News
8 Upfront: The top international news stories involving women in business
38 In The Right Direction: Good news stories from around the world Features
18 Wellesley
Samantha Kaye asks ‘is it time for a tax check-up?’
22 Surrey Business Park Investing in women: Navigating the investment landscape, while addressing the gender investment gap
24 University of Sussex Business Angels
Simon Chuter discusses the investment angels who are looking more at female-led companies
26 Impact International Addressing gender disparity in leadership roles
28 Kreston Reeves
Alison Jones asks, ‘What’s your motivation for running your business?’
Spotlight
40 Highlighting two overseas players for Brighton & Hove Albion women, and how their roles and lives have changed
Health & Wellbeing
42 Tanya Borowski asks, ‘is mineral water worth it, or is it a bit of a scam?’
Further Reading
44 Reviews of books by Leanne Maskell and others on neurodiversity generally, and ADHD specifically
Art Scene
46 Kellie Miller discusses the works of Jane Skingley
Travel
48 Hotel du Vin in Brighton –the last word in elegance Wine & Dine
50 In the first of a new series, Dynamic seeks out the best pub food in the South East
52 A brief snapshot of art and culture cross Sussex and Surrey
BIG STORY
12 Justine Roberts CBE
Co-founder of Mumsnet, and keynote speaker at next month’s Dynamic Festival, we chronicle the rise of this go-to forum
❛
❛ Cinderella never asked for a prince. She asked for a night off and a dressKiera Cass, American writer
2 The Dynamic Festival 2024 Tickets are on sale. Get involved and don’t miss out
20 The Dynamic Awards 2024
The prestigious business awards for women returns for a third year in April next year. Tickets are now on sale
PUBLISHER: Maarten Hoffmann maarten@platinummediagroup.co.uk
EDITOR: Tess de Klerk tess@platinummediagroup.co.uk
MOTORING EDITOR: Fiona Shafer fionas@platinummediagroup.co.uk
COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR: Lesley Alcock lesley@platinummediagroup.co.uk
EVENTS DIRECTOR: Fiona Graves fiona@platinummediagroup.co.uk
EVENTS MANAGER: Žaneta Bealing zaneta@platinummediagroup.co.uk
HEAD OF DESIGN: Michelle Shakesby design@platinummediagroup.co.uk
SUB EDITOR: Alan Wares alan@platinummediagroup.co.uk
World-Class English Sparkling Wine.
BRINGING CELEBRATION TO LIFE.
An extra special welcome to the March issue of Dynamic Magazine.
On the eighth of this month, we will be celebrating International Women’s Day. It naturally reminds us of how far we’ve come regarding women’s rights, freedoms and power since the fi rst acknowledgment of this day in 1911. It also reminds me of how privileged we are in this country, compared to so many women across the world who still suffer intense discrimination and exclusion based on their sex. There is still much to be done – both at home and globally.
Th is year’s IWD theme is ‘Inspire Inclusion’. Inclusion is a powerful tool, playing a crucial role in achieving gender equality. It encourages everyone to recognise the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life, including those from marginalised communities. I believe that we can all find opportunities in our lives to do just that, as long as we open our eyes and minds.
On top of our regular features this month, we’ve asked several inspiring women to share with us what they would tell their younger selves today. We also delve into the gender funding gap, and get advice on closing the gender leadership gaps that are still a reality in many companies today.
But there is much more. Our pages are jam-packed for your reading pleasure and I hope that you enjoy this month’s Dynamic.
Editor, Dynamic Magazine tess@platinummediagroup.co.uk
Black women may well make up less than 10% of the US population, but they’ve emerged as the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs, new research from GoDaddy has found.
Between 2017 and 2020, the number of Black women-owned businesses increased by nearly 20%, far exceeding the growth of women-owned businesses and Black-owned businesses overall, the Brookings Institution reports.
“To me, the rise of Black women entrepreneurs means we’re starting to believe in ourselves more, that we’re finally recognising how limitless we are,” says Joy Ofodu, who quit her job at Instagram to become a full-time content creator and voice actor in 2022.
Becci Coombes, from Wisborough Green, West Sussex, has been crowned one of the UK’s most impressive female businesswomen. Becci, who founded her company Hyggestyle.co.uk in 2017, is being profiled among 100 inspirational female entrepreneurs from across the country, as part of a campaign to celebrate the achievements of women running businesses in the UK. Becci’s company Hyggestyle.co.uk sells authentic Nordic decorations and crafts and makes many ranges in-house, while working with local artists to create exclusive designs. She has been recognised in a campaign by Small Business Britain – ‘f:Entrepreneur’ – which showcases trailblazing women who lead purpose-driven businesses alongside a roster of other responsibilities such as volunteering, mentoring and community support.
Do not follow where the path might lead. Go instead where there is no path, and leave a trailMuriel Strode, author
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), based in Budapest, has launched a new initiative, the Red Kalyna. It aims to recognise and promote outstanding Ukrainian female entrepreneurs, educators and mentors who have developed innovative products or solutions, or have transformed their businesses into innovative ones. 30 Ukrainian women were nominated for this year’s call, out of which nine remarkable individuals were shortlisted as finalists. Red Kalyna – the red viburnum (kalyna in Ukrainian) –is a shrub bearing red-coloured berries, and holds deep cultural significance, symbolising resistance to foreign dominance and political oppression. In naming the initiative, the kalyna – both hardy and resistant – can withstand the toughest of conditions, was a natural choice.
A study from recruitment firm Nigel Frank International polled more than 1,300 male tech professionals working across some of the world’s leading tech companies. It found four-in-five men believed men and women were treated equally in their workplace, with only 6% disagreeing. Conversely, research from the Fawcett Society found in November 2023 that nearly a quarter of women in tech have reported sexism in the workplace. The study shed light on a toxic culture that led women to feel marginalised and targeted with offensive ‘banter’. James Lloyd-Townshend, chairman and CEO at Nigel Frank International, said the prevailing male attitude contradicts years of research. “I’d love to know what percentage of the men who feel there’s no gender inequality in their organisation have reached that conclusion through actual conversations with the women in their workplace.”
I like to say it’s an attitude of not just thinking outside the box, but not even seeing the box
Safra A. Catz, CEO Oracle Corporation
It’s okay to admit what you don’t know. It’s okay to ask for help. And it’s more than okay to listen to the people you lead – in fact, it’s essentialMary Barra, No. 9 in Forbes Top
The drive to reach gender parity on Europe’s top-ranked MBA programmes passed some significant milestones in 2023. In February, ESCP Business School (École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris; or Paris Higher School of Commerce) — with campuses across the continent — was placed eighth out of the European programmes in the FT Global MBA Ranking and recorded an equal male-female split (thus earning a maximum score under the gender criteria). Now, the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, ranked ninth out of European MBAs in February, reports that its latest intake in September was 51% female, passing parity for the first time. A few other European schools have previously recorded an equal split, but none was so highly ranked for MBAs as ESCP and Saïd.
Forbes has published its list of the 100 most powerful women in the world for the past year. The Power List was determined by four main metrics: money, media, impact and spheres of influence. The list is US-heavy, although this is partly due to the likes of Sanna Marin, Jacinda Ardern and Nicola Sturgeon losing their influence over the past year. Here is the top ten…
1. Ursula von der Leyen Germany
President of the European Commission
2. Christine Lagarde France
President of the European Central Bank
3. Kamala Harris USA
Vice-President of the USA
4. Giorgia Meloni Italy
Prime Minister of Italy
5. Taylor Swift USA Singer-songwriter
6. Karen Lynch USA CEO of CVS Health
7. Jane Fraser USA CEO of Citigroup
8. Abigail Johnson USA
President-CEO of Fidelity Investments
9. Mary Barra USA
CEO of General Motors
10. Melinda French Gates USA
Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Last year, Dynamic magazine sponsored multiple places for women on the Help to Grow: Management programme to help them to grow their business and develop themselves. We are delighted that we have again teamed up with Help to Grow to sponsor more places so that a limited number of women business leaders or senior managers can attend at no cost in 2024.
This mini MBA-style programme from the University of Brighton is taught over 12 weeks, face to face and online, and includes your own business mentor. Attendees enjoy taking time away from the business to focus on the business, and all come away with an actionable growth plan.
Over 100 business leaders have taken the Help to Grow course so far.
Jacqueline Hill is Head of Sales and Marketing at Plumpton Racecourse and graduated in December 2023 from Help To Grow’s Crawley cohort. We asked her what she thought of the course, and if it has helped her.
What have you learnt from the Help to Grow programme?
“I have learnt the importance of taking time away from the business to reflect upon our strategy and growth opportunities.”
Which module was the most beneficial for you and why?
“The whole course was fantastic, but I found the organisation design particularly beneficial for my own personal career aspirations.”
Has any aspect of the programme impacted your leadership; in what way?
What would you say to a female leader thinking of enrolling on the Help to Grow Course?
“Help to Grow has given me a fresh perspective on the business and team structure. As someone new to senior management, the course has encouraged me to take a step back, and really think about the leader I want to be to my team.”
Tell us what you have changed/put into place since Help to Grow.
“We have continued to review our vision, mission and values, and how we can communicate this to key stakeholders. We have continued to embed ourselves in the local business community, which is proving to be a mutually beneficial relationship.”
“What are you waiting for?! It is a fantastic course, and you meet some wonderful people, learning a lot from other businesses in your cohort.”
What are the biggest challenges being a female leader in an SME?
“As a young female leader in a male-dominated industry, it can sometimes be a challenge for people to treat you the same as they would your male counterparts!
In one or two sentences why should someone buy your products/services?
“Plumpton Racecourse is a beautiful track, at the heart of the community. Whether you’re joining us for a day out with friends, family, colleagues or clients we pride ourselves on offering all our guests a warm welcome and always ensure we offer you the friendly VIP experience you deserve.
“As a small independent racecourse, we can be flexible to create a bespoke package to best suit your requirements. Outside of racedays, our site provides a show-stopping setting for any occasion from meetings and conferences to team-building days, parties and weddings.”
The whole course was fantastic, but I found the organisation design particularly beneficialJacqueline Hill, Plumpton Racecourse
• Strategy and innovation
• Digital adoption
• Internationalisation and winning new markets
• Vision, mission and values
• Developing a marketing strategy
• Building a brand
• Organisational design
• Employee management and leading change
• Creating a high performing workplace
• Efficient operations
• Finance
The programme has been brilliant – one of my favourite elements has been stepping away from the business and learning the importance of putting time aside to think and plan. I’ve already been looking at our vision and mission to give us more direction as well as reviewing our team structure to accommodate further growth
Jacqueline Hill, Plumpton Racecourse
● Mini MBA style content
● In person and online sessions over 12 weeks
● Open to businesses with 5+ employees
● Your own one-to-one business mentor
● Time away from work to invest in your business
● 90% Government funded
● Networking with other local businesses
● Taught by experts at the University of Brighton
● You must be a leader or senior manager of an SME which employs between 5 and 249 people to join Help to Grow.
● The next 12-week programme starts in September in Brighton and November in Crawley so sign up to secure your sponsored, no cost place now.
● Make sure you quote DYNAMIC24 under ‘Other’ when the form asks where you heard about Help to Grow.
For more information visit www.brighton.ac.uk/helptogrow or email helptogrow@brighton.ac.uk to arrange a chat with a course leader to find out if the course is right for you.
For more information visit www.brighton.ac.uk/helptogrow or scan here
Since 1999, Mumsnet has grown into the UK’s busiest and most influential network for parents, with over 10 million unique users per month. It regularly campaigns on issues including support for families of children with special educational needs, improvements in postnatal and miscarriage care, and freedom of speech on the internet.
Next month, co-founder and Director Justine Roberts is a keynote speaker at the inaugural Dynamic Festival in Brighton. Dynamic chronicles the rise of this understated political force
Justine Roberts CBE, born in 1967, is the co-founder and CEO of Mumsnet and Gransnet. She attended Guildford High School, a private girls’ school with a highly impressive alumni. She then studied PPE at New College, Oxford.
Before co-founding Mumsnet, Justine had worked in the corporate world as an economist - something she says she could never return to. She had also been a freelance football and cricket writer, mostly for the Telegraph. During the football games she covered, she claimed that she wasn’t really viewing nor enjoying the spectacle. An oft-told dilemma of every short-order football writer, she often hoped no-one scored in the last minute and ruined the intro to the piece she had already written.
Instead, she’d have preferred just to have watched her Liverpool team (“I’ve wasted so much of my life watching football,” she opines), and be absorbed in the game that way. In May 2013 she appeared on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Great Lives’ programme, nominating football manager Bill Shankly –well she would, wouldn’t she…?
Justine was the Institute of Internal Communication Communicator of the Year in 2014 and EY Entrepreneur of the Year London and South Winner in 2016. Justine was one of EU-Startup’s Top 50 Most Influential Women in Startups and VC in 2019.
She is a mother of four and was appointed CBE in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to the economy.
Mumsnet was co-founded in 1999, and launched the following year by Justine Roberts – who came up with the idea of a website to help parents share information and advice, following a disastrous family holiday with her one-year-old twins – and TV producer Carrie Longton, whom Roberts persuaded to jump on board.
As neither of them at that time had any particular tech skills, they asked university friend Steven Cassidy to help build the platform. Mumsnet is part of the landscape now, but back in 1999 it was another tech startup.
Roberts’ idea hinged around rather than just relying on your friends for support and information, wouldn’t it be great if you could ask a wider group of people for advice –maybe on the internet?
Ah, the internet - back in the 90s, everyone could see something was happening. The main problem was ascertaining what that ‘something’ was. Tech startup companies were created out of new ideas, new media and new thinking.
The dotcom bubble, a bane of the early internet history grew out of a combination of the presence of speculative or fad-based investing, the abundance of venture capital funding for startups, and the failure of dotcoms to turn a profit. Investors poured money into internet startups during the 1990s hoping they would one day become profitable.
Sadly, the rest of the universe didn’t catch up in time, and a ‘bubble’ in the industry was formed, which soon burst, leaving many investors facing steep losses and several internet companies going bust. Companies that famously survived the bubble include Amazon, eBay, and Priceline. And Mumsnet.
It was against this background that Mumsnet
If Mumsnet didn’t exist, it would be necessary to invent it
launched. The original idea for Mumsnet was to grow the business quickly and then sell it, but as the aforementioned dotcom crash took hold in the early part of the new millennium, Roberts and Longton changed direction.
For the fi rst few years of its existence, the co-founders struggled to turn a profit. What they did do, and that has stood them in good stead, was to build a community. Initially there were a lot of product reviews, but slowly the online forums emerged, where people shared advice and opinions, and it started to grow.
The earliest successes came when, as with any business, there became a need for it. To coin a paraphrase, if Mumsnet didn’t exist, it would be necessary to invent it.
To Mumsnet, and ultimately its users, the site became invaluable, especially across the open forums. Information, advice, suggestions and help were always available on tap within the community; a community that, finally, after a few years, started growing exponentially. “The forums are everything; the people are everything. They’re amazing,” Longton said in an interview in 2020.
For Mumsnet, the core of the business – what really mattered –was making parents’ lives easier
Despite the hours and lack of financial reward, Mumsnet received supportive emails which started to arrive from online users thanking them for the help the website offered. The membership kept growing, and Roberts and Longton were increasingly asked to appear on television programmes to deliver their opinions on the issues of the day. Something was happening.
“We did every bit of PR and media we could to grow; we were very much focused on growing, and we thought the business would come. You’ve got to focus on the core of your business because if you don’t get that right, you’re not going to make any money. For Mumsnet, the core of the business – what really mattered – was making parents’ lives easier,” said Longton.
Advertising revenues started to increase and, sensing the company’s influence with a core section of voters, politicians started to court them. David Cameron and Gordon Brown, seeing the large cross-section of voters, many of whom were floating voters, both undertook web chats on Mumsnet ahead of the 2010 General Election.
While Mumsnet is a source of information, advice and product recommendations, it also campaigns for members. “There are issues that members feel strongly about and we campaign when there is consensus. Users organise themselves well, setting up Facebook groups, writing letters and organising Twitter campaigns. It is not a topdown thing; we are there to give a platform and sometimes we do amplify that on a Mumsnet level,” Roberts explains.
Successful campaigns include attracting attention for a member, Riven Vincent, who was ready to put her disabled child into care due to a lack of respite help, and the pulling of an advertisement that proclaimed career women to be bad mothers.
The ongoing campaign, Let Girls Be Girls, against the sexualisation of young girls has seen major retailers agreeing to not stock clothing that prematurely sexualises. The likes of Tesco and Asda have sought guidance from Mumsnet as the weathervane on what is seen as appropriate and what isn’t.
“Mumsnetters are powerful when there is an issue they feel strongly about, partly because they are amplified by the media, but also because they are intelligent women and they know how to organise themselves,” Roberts adds.
Mumsnet has faced fierce criticism ranging from accusations of members being smugly middle class to faux-outrage at its political clout. “There is a certain amount of misogyny,” says Roberts. “We started noticing it when we were perceived to have political influence. There was a backlash, which almost said to me, women know your place, this isn’t your territory, who do you think you are?”
Mumsnet was awarded the Online Comment Site of the Year (Editorial Intelligence Comment Awards) 2011 and 2014. Roberts was named in the Media Guardian’s 2010 Power 100. In May 2011, Justine founded Gransnet, a sister site to Mumsnet, for the over-50s.
Along with Mumsnet co-founder Carrie Longton, she was voted number seven in BBC Woman’s Hour’s “Power List 2013” of the most powerful women in the UK.
Conservative commentator and professional echo chamber, Toby Young, in arguing that Mumsnet users constituted a minor and insignificant demographic, commented that the website’s users were ‘Guardianreading, laptop-wielding harpies,’ and that the website was used exclusively by universityeducated, upper-middle-class women who are only “swing voters” in the sense that they swing between voting Labour, Lib Dem and Green” Well, if that’s Toby Young’s take, Mumsnet is clearly doing it right.
Nigel Farage was also true to his misogynistic self, insulting the Mumsnet demographic by agreeing with then UKIP MEP Godfrey Bloom that “no self-respecting small businessman with a brain in the right place would ever employ a lady of child-bearing age.” Charming.
In 2022, the then Prime Minister, Boris Johnson was invited on for a web chat, and was on the receiving end of this opening salvo from the floor – “Why should we believe anything you say when it has been proven that you’re a habitual liar?”
Mumsnet is funded mainly by advertising and, while it seeks to be a profitable company, its main purpose is not the pursuit of profits.
It doesn’t follow, therefore, that Mumsnet will accept advertising from absolutely anyone who approaches them. Mumsnet’s primary mission - to make life easier for parents - won’t be compromised, meaning they won’t accept revenue from a body which runs counter to that mission.
The company cites as examples - though not limited to – payday loan companies, cryptocurrencies, pornographic content, and multi-level marketing schemes. Plus it will turn down gambling, follow-on formula milk (designed to avoid the ban on formula milk advertising), and products that it thinks make women or children feel bad about their bodies or that play on boring gender stereotypes.
TODAY
Mumsnet is the go-to forum for advice, support and help for its hundreds of millions of online users, and billions of page views. Illness in 2018 forced Carrie Longton to take a back seat, but with Justine Roberts still at the helm, the service continues to thrive.
Time may advance, policies change, technology evolves, but the need for Mumsnet and what it provides for its demographic is still rooted in the same social concern – making lives easier for parents. In a world that doesn’t stand still, that will never change.
While it seeks to be a profitable company, its main purpose is not the pursuit of profits
Dynamic: What does the future hold for Mumsnet - more of the same or do you have further expansion plans?
Justine Roberts: We’re in the pretty fortunate position that our users are creating around thirteen and a half average-sized novels’ worth of content every single day! That volume, combined with the fact that, on Mumsnet, we think you’re more likely to get the unvarnished truth, is a powerful source of data and insight. In the next five years, I’d like those data insights to empower more decision makers – whether they’re in government or business or, indeed, the large language models – to make sure that women’s needs and voices are prioritised as much as men’s.
And while human connection and insight is our USP, I see no reason not to use AI and automation to help our team be more productive and efficient. We’ve already made a start on that, not just with MumsGPT – our own AI insight tool – but with internal processes, and I’m excited by the productivity gains we can make.
Ultimately though, our mission is to make parents’ lives easier by helping mums to tap into the wisdom of others. I’m agnostic about how we deliver that mission as long as we stay true to it. It’s the advice and the community that matters, not the medium.
Dynamic: When you give your keynote speech at the Dynamic Festival, what will be your central message to the 500 business women in attendance, many of whom will be parents?
JR: What makes Mumsnet special is that our users are at the heart of our site. Our choices are driven by an unflinching focus on what our community is telling us. That’s true of all our decisions – from how the site works to what we choose to try and change in the world.
Mumsnet is, first and foremost, a business and we try to be a profitable one but our overarching aim is not the pursuit of profits. In my opinion, that’s why we’re a success story; not in spite of our purpose and values, but because of them.
Dynamic: What advice would you give your younger self?
JR: Don’t label yourself, or be too quick to set limits on what you might be capable of. I grew up thinking I was organised but convinced I wasn’t terribly creative because I wasn’t good at drawing! It took me a while to realise that I do have creative ideas and some of them are worth pushing forward. Try to challenge those early conceptions because they’re not always the right ones.
I’ve also learned plenty of things about growing a business that would come in useful. For starters, starting small and growing organically is just as valid a growth path as raising a load of cash and catapulting to scale. Secondly, building a business really is about the people on the bus, and so you need to put loads of effort into recruitment –there really are some ‘10xers’ (people said to be able to work ten times the capacity of others) out there and it’s worth trying to find them and doing everything you can to hold on to them. On the flipside to that, as we say in our culture deck, it’s always better to have a hole than an arsehole. I’ve learned that you need to understand your company’s values and overcommunicate them. It’s the only way you can expect your team to take the decisions you’d want them to as you scale. That technology renewal and investment isn’t optional – it’s an annual cost of doing business. Fail that and you’ll slip into ‘tech debt’, and that can hold you up for years. But perhaps the most valuable piece of advice of all – always wear trainers! It helps you get to appointments on time if you can run, and they’re so much more comfortable than heels.
Justine Roberts CBE is a keynote speaker at the inaugural Dynamic Women’s Festival, taking place on April 29th at The Grand Brighton.
For tickets or more information, go to www.platinummediagroup.co.uk/ events/the-dynamic-festival/buytickets
Our mission is to make parents’ lives easier by helping mums to tap into the wisdom of others
Taking the time to review your tax situation this spring could be rewarding on many levels, says SAMANTHA KAYE from Wellesley
Spring is fi nally here! And while the traditional deep clean of your home might not be a highlight of your year, many of us would rather scrub the bathroom floor than do a deep dive into our fi nancial position.
But, by sparing an hour or two to review your fi nances, you can make sure your investments are still working for you. Th is includes making the most of the available tax allowances, reliefs and exemptions each tax year.
Ask yourself: Is your pension planning on track? How much tax will you pay on your investments? How much of your wealth could pass on to your family, free of Inheritance Tax (IHT)?
If you’re reading this before April 5th 2024, here are five things to think about before the end of the current 2023/24 tax year:
• Make use of your ISA allowance. Each year, you can pay up to £20,000 into an ISA. Everything you earn from it is free of Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Dividend Tax
• Consider making contributions of up to £9,000 per child into Junior ISAs to help them get a head start.
• Those wishing to maximise pension savings should consider fully utilising their annual allowance. Unused allowances can be carried forward, but only from the three previous tax years.
• Take advantage of your annual Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exemption by realising gains of £6,000 in this tax year. Th is allowance will halve in the next tax year.
• Reduce the taxable value of your estate by using your IHT gifting exemption of £3,000 for this year. You can also use last year’s allowance if it was unused.
By sparing an hour
or
two to review your finances, you can make sure your investments are still working for you
Early use of the fresh allowances and exemptions could reap rewards over the longer term
Now’s the perfect time to refresh your tax planning –remember, it’s nearly always a case of ‘use it or lose it’.
That said, if you’re reading this after the April 5th deadline, it’s still a perfect opportunity to hit the ground running for the new tax year.
Early use of the fresh allowances and exemptions could reap rewards over the longer term. What’s more, regular tax planning can help you strike a balance across the different areas of your life, giving you confidence that, over time, you can get where you want to be.
Since tax rules are ever-changing and often complex, there’s value in seeking advice. Whether personal or business fi nances, your adviser can help you check there are no gaps in your plans and that you’re not missing out on tax allowances and reliefs that can really benefit you.
I’m here to help – contact me today for a no-obligation review!
Samantha Kaye, Chartered Adviser, Wellesley House, 50 Victoria Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 9LH E: samantha.kaye@sjpp.co.uk
www.wellesleywa.co.uk
The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested. The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances.
St. James’s Place guarantees the suitability of advice offered by Wellesley when recommending any of the services and products available from companies in the Group. More details of the Guarantee are set out on the Group’s website: www.sjp.co.uk/products.
Wellesley is a trading name of Wellesley Investment Management Ltd. The Partner Practice is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/www.sjp.co.uk/ about-st-james-place/our-business/our-products-andservices
The ‘St. James’s Place partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives. Wellesley Investment Management Ltd: Registered Office: 44 The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, TN2 5TN. Registered in England & Wales, Company No. 06530147.
Surrey Research Park is leading the way in addressing the innovation gender funding gap impacting the goals of women entrepreneurs
For award-winning innovator and woman entrepreneur Shakardokht ‘Shakar’ Jafari, the COVID pandemic was an especially challenging time to be the founder of a medical start-up.
Not only did she have to grapple with the challenges faced by other business leaders, but the CEO of TRUEInvivo, a pioneering cancer technology company based at Surrey Research Park, Guildford, was confronted by a unique set of trials.
Tragically, her biggest investor died during the pandemic and, in seeking new funding, Shakar found the landscape had changed since she had established her company in 2014.
Raising investment for a start-up doesn’t come without its challenges, but it’s especially tough for women entrepreneurs.
In 2023, just 2% of venture capital funding was awarded to women
Dr Shakar Jafari is both the technical and business brains behind TRUEInvivo. The company is innovating treatment of cancer patients through development of an efficient and lowcost method of measuring a medical dose of radiation.
Raising investment has been a focus and a challenge for the company for some time, with significant research and development costs to cover as a medical start-up. Since 2020, the economic downturn and market volatility has impacted investors’ decision-making, requiring Shakar to build resilience and re-strategise, to fund her mission to improve the
accuracy of treatment for cancer patients and reduce the time and cost to the NHS for radiotherapy treatment. “My main problem is finding the right investor,” says Shakardokht, who won a prestigious Women in Innovation award from Innovate UK.
“During Covid, our main investor, who was hugely committed to us, very sadly died and this disturbed all our financial plans. Medical investors changed their minds as to where to put their money, focussing more on PPE. Meanwhile, the whole economy has been affected by Brexit and the Ukraine war so the landscape for fundraising is very different now.”
Along with these challenges, her company bears the weight of the widely accepted belief that investing in deep tech is high risk due to the lengthy research and development process that precedes any commercial benefit of the scientific discovery at its core.
Tina, an MBA graduate from the Open University Business School and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, has always had an interest in emerging technologies and their innovative and creative applications. She takes an interest in investing in medical and IT companies founded or led by women to encourage the considerable female potential and capabilities.
“We need to support our female entrepreneurs, helping build resilience and increasing their chances of success. We can also encourage and enable female investors to include this type of private company investment into their portfolio,” explains Tina.
❛❛“It’s about access to opportunity for both the investor and the investee. We can create the circumstances to recognise and unlock great potential, thus enabling these new ventures to develop and realise their plans, effectively pivot in response to market conditions and customer requirements and ultimately successfully commercialise.”
According to Tina, SEIS or EIS company shares offer a way for investors to offset part of their income tax liability. “It’s a win-win scenario,” she explains. “If we can facilitate the provision of initial capital support then it’s more likely our female entrepreneur will be able to access matched capital or access to grants.”
Encouraging more women into investment has the potential to reshape the landscape going forwards and increase the backing for women’s start-upsKat Mack, Founder SWEN Network
In 2023, just 2% of venture capital funding was awarded to women, according to a recent report by Pitchbook. This gender gap in venture funding is underlined by a variety of factors, not least that only 17.7% of those with significant stakes in a UK venture capital firm are women (Ada Ventures, 2023). This means the majority of decision-making power in these funds resides with men.
This was supported by a 2020 by Kauffman Fellow’s study, which found women are more likely to invest in women-led businesses, which may help explain the cycle of underfunding for women-led businesses.
One way to close the gender funding gap, therefore, is to ensure women entrepreneurs have greater opportunities to meet women investors and venture capital funds, and vice versa.
This is precisely the aim of the Surrey Research Park’s new Surrey Women’s Entrepreneurship Network (SWEN) which, coupled with the University of Surrey’s established Angel Investment network, ‘S100 Club’, is providing essential help to Shakar and women entrepreneurs like her.
In recent times, Shakar has secured a woman angel investor, Tina Matania, through the S100 Club and, through the SWEN, has been introduced to an interested Venture Capital fund.
Government regulations introduced in January around angel investing mean that there are now higher financial barriers to entry for angel investors.
Unfortunately, these risk disproportionally affect women due to the gender pay and wealth gaps. As of January 31st, the minimum salary requirements for angels to invest in start-ups was raised from £100,000 to £170,000 to protect investors.
To overcome this restriction, however, would-be angels can join an angel network such as the S100 Club based in Surrey. The Club, linked to the SETsquared Surrey incubator, affords investors first sight of early talent in high tech, high growth sectors including companies such as TRUEInvivo with their patented medical technology.
The S100 Club is a signatory to the Investing in Women Code, which aims to rally support from a range of financial services to support the advancement of women entrepreneurs in the UK, and the S100 is currently open to new members who wish to be introduced to the exciting range of investment opportunities.
Kat Mack, Head of Engagement at Surrey Research Park and founder of the SWEN network says, “Encouraging more women into investment has the potential to reshape the landscape going forwards and increase the backing for women’s start-ups, with a view to adding huge value for the local economy through unlocking the untapped potential we know there is in women’s businesses.”
If you’re an investor and would like to join the S100 Angel Investment Club or find out more, email Lottie Watson, SETsquared Surrey Centre Director c.watson@surrey.ac.uk
BY SIMON CHUTER
The University of Sussex Business Angels (USBA) network has been designed to help impactful businesses find the capital they’re looking for to help them scale and be more ambitious with their plans.
The Angels network is building a diverse community of angels which is passionate about investing in growing businesses with connections to Sussex, leveraging the strengths and prestige of the University of Sussex as the region’s leading research institution.
Our investors understand what the seed and angel investment market is looking for, and share their insights with exciting startups and scale-ups. We build strong relationships on a foundation of shared values, vision and purpose.
The network is run by Simon Chuter, Head of Investment Services. Simon has been with Sussex Innovation for over eight years and, in that time, has forged relationships with people across the local ecosystem. Simon is supported by Nigel Lambe, the CEO of Sussex Innovation in sourcing both investors and choosing the best opportunities to put before them for investment.
We mentioned that we’re building a diverse community of angels. Like every other angel network, we face the challenge of bringing in investors who aren’t ‘male and pale’. The headline from the United Kingdom Business Angels Association’s (UKBAA) ‘Women Angel Insights’ paper is that Women represent a minority of angel investors.
The role of angel investors is vital in nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem by supporting riskier, innovative ventures
Of a total 36,800 angels in the UK, only 14% (5,064) are women, and fewer than 0.5% (157) of female angels have achieved a portfolio of ten or more companies. If you know someone who is interested in becoming an angel investor, most especially those who are anything other than ‘male and pale’, we will welcome them into our membership. Just enquire via the website - www.sussexinnovation.co.uk – or drop me an email: simon.chuter@sussexinnovation.co.uk
To date, we have held two successful pitch days for our investors, with ten companies pitching for investment across those events. The pitches were well received by the USBA investor membership, and the companies enjoyed the experience with all of them receiving expressions of interest.
To qualify to pitch for investment, the businesses must be either; academics who have spun out companies from the University of Sussex, alumni of the University of Sussex, or members of Sussex Innovation. There are a further four pitch events scheduled across 2024.
+ CALLING ALL WOMEN WHO ARE LOOKING FOR MONEY TO INVEST IN GROWING THEIR BUSINESS
On Monday April 29th, USBA will be holding the ‘Funding for Business’ panel in our breakout room at the Dynamic Festival which will be made up of expert speakers, and hosted by Innovation and Programmes Consultant, Samantha Harland.
Included on the panel are Susan Elliott from the British Business Bank,
The growing importance of angel investors in supporting early-stage startups and fostering innovation can be attributed to several factors:
• Seed capital injection: Angel investors often provide crucial seed capital that helps startups navigate the initial stages of development. Th is injection of funds at a critical juncture enables entrepreneurs to refine their ideas, develop prototypes, and conduct market validation.
• Mentorship and guidance: Beyond financial support, angel investors often bring valuable industry experience, expertise, and a network of contacts. Their mentorship can help entrepreneurs navigate challenges, make strategic decisions, and avoid common pitfalls, contributing to the overall success of the startup.
• Risk tolerance and long-term vision: Angel investors are typically more willing to take on higher risks associated with early-stage ventures. Their willingness to invest in unproven concepts and technologies helps bridge the funding gap that many startups face in their initial stages. Th is risk tolerance can be crucial for fostering innovation.
• Access to networks: Angel investors often have extensive professional networks, and their involvement can open doors for startups to connect with potential partners, customers, and other investors. Th is access to networks accelerates the growth trajectory of early-stage ventures.
• Flexible capital: Angel investors often provide more flexible capital compared to traditional funding sources. They may be more willing to invest in unconventional or niche markets, fostering innovation in areas that might be overlooked by larger institutions.
• Agile decision-making: Angel investors can make investment decisions more quickly than larger institutions. Th is agility is beneficial for startups that need timely capital to capitalise on emerging opportunities or address unexpected challenges.
Like every other angel network, we face the challenge of bringing in investors who aren’t ‘male and pale’
The panel will discuss all elements of funding for business, including grants, debt and equity funding. It will be an enlightening and informative
• Preparation for future rounds: Successful collaboration with angel investors can enhance a startup’s credibility, making it more attractive to venture capitalists and other institutional investors in subsequent funding rounds. Th is initial support can be a crucial stepping stone for startups aiming for larger-scale investments.
• Focus on innovation: Many angel investors are passionate about innovation and disruptive technologies. Their involvement often goes beyond financial considerations, as they actively contribute to shaping the strategic direction of the startup and ensuring its innovative potential is realised. Overall, the role of angel investors is vital in nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem by supporting riskier, innovative ventures that might struggle to secure funding through traditional channels. Their impact extends beyond capital infusion, influencing the trajectory of startups and contributing to the broader landscape of technological and business innovation.
Simon Chuter, Head of Investment Services, University of Sussex Business Angelsconversation from which you will have a plethora of key takeaways and learnings. This session will be most useful for owners, founders, CEOs, MDs and anyone who has a responsibility for growing a business.
The panel will answer questions like:
• What angel networks exist locally?
• Is debt a dirty word?
• Who are the main grant providers both locally and nationally?
Come to the session with any burning questions that you have about funding for business and the panel will be happy to answer them.
To buy tickets for the Dynamic Festival, or for more information, go to www.platinummediagroup.co.uk/ events/the-dynamic-festival/ buy-tickets
Government backed research in 2022 indicated that nearly 40% of board positions in the UK’s FTSE 100 were then occupied by women, which showcased a gradual but notable advancement of female employees into higher echelons of influence within British businesses.
Despite this encouraging trend, closer examination revealed that 45.7% of these roles were confined to nonexecutive positions, highlighting the persistence of gender disparity in leadership. Only 9% of FTSE 100 companies had a female CEO, and that dropped to 4.8% for FTSE 250s. We expect an improvement in those statistics in 2024 but there remains substantial work to be done to address this imbalance.
Beyond impeding the career progression of individual women, the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles can limit a company’s potential. Studies show that organisations characterised by inclusivity and diversity are 50% more likely to make sound decisions and 36% more likely to achieve higher levels of efficiency. Thus, it is imperative for business owners and HR directors to implement strategies aimed at bridging the gender gap in senior executive positions.
as an effective means of acknowledging their potential. These plans should provide a platform for enhancing competencies while incorporating consistent, 360-degree feedback mechanisms to identify strengths and areas for growth. By bolstering women’s confidence in their abilities, skills- and strengths-based development plans can empower them to assert themselves and pursue the higher-level roles they merit.
Business owners should endeavour to educate senior executives about the myriad benefits associated with a diverse leadership cadre within the organisation. Diverse leadership not only facilitates the attraction of talent from diverse backgrounds but also enhances the organisation’s ability to identify the best-suited candidates for leadership positions.
Diverse leadership can foster a more inclusive work environment
Here, Dominic Fitch, Head of Creative Change at Impact, a specialist in leadership development, offers insights into effective approaches to close the gender gap in higher-level roles.
An initial step towards addressing the gender imbalance in senior board roles involves implementing professional development plans centred on individuals’ strengths. Research suggests that women are often inclined to undervalue or underestimate their capabilities compared to men, potentially hindering their ability to self-promote effectively.
Consequently, instituting development plans focused on identifying and harnessing employees’ strengths can serve
Moreover, diverse leadership can foster a more inclusive work environment, thereby bolstering employee satisfaction and retention. Women in leadership roles may be better positioned to understand and address the challenges faced by female employees, contributing to a more supportive and fair workplace culture.
Consider revisiting internal paternity leave policies to promote greater gender balance in caregiving responsibilities. While statutory paternity leave in the UK currently stands at two weeks, offering extended leave options can afford new fathers the opportunity to share childcare duties more equitably with mothers.
By facilitating a more balanced distribution of childcare responsibilities, longer paternity leaves can alleviate the burden on women, enabling them to devote more time and energy to advancing their careers and ascending the corporate ladder.
Standardising job descriptions by employing gender-neutral language… can help attract a more diverse pool of qualified candidates
Actively combating bias in the recruitment process is essential to promoting greater opportunities for women in leadership roles. Provide comprehensive training to recruitment teams on recognising and mitigating unconscious bias, encompassing factors such as stereotypes and the significance of workplace diversity.
Standardising job descriptions by employing genderneutral language and focusing on required skills and experience, rather than gender-specific traits, can help attract a more diverse pool of qualified candidates. By making adjustments to the recruitment process, organisations can encourage greater female participation in leadership roles.
Clearly implementing impactful strategies to address gender inequality in leadership roles is not only a matter of equity but also a strategic imperative for organisations striving for excellence and innovation. By embracing diversity and inclusivity at all levels of leadership, businesses can unlock untapped potential and foster a culture of empowerment and progress.
Dominic Fitch, Head of Creative Change at Impactwww.impactinternational.com
By ALISON JONES, Partner Kreston Reeves
I was at an event recently when this question was asked by an economics writer for The Times, and he raised an interesting point. It is important to focus on what you want to achieve when you first set up your business, and once you have achieved it, at what point and how will you then exit.
A lot of people focus on setting up their business, but don’t think ahead about when or how they will leave.
When you have achieved your goals and taken the business as far as you can then it might be in both yours and the business’ best interest for you to exit. This might be through a sale, merger or simply handing over to the next generation.
As a business owner, you don’t want to feel that the business runs you, that you are ‘burnt out’ or have fallen out of love with your business. Many could be forgiven for feeling this way given the level of firefighting which they have had to do since March 2020, the start of
the pandemic, and the period of economic uncertainty which has followed. Lack of energy, or loss of passion for your business are red flags which should be listened to.
You also don’t want the business to suffer because you don’t have the skill set, capital, production facilities or access to new markets to take it further. Even worse, you don’t want a level of complacency to set in for a once-successful business which fails to innovate and keep pace with competition, or to take your eye off the ball. This is why it is important to run your business knowing that it needs to be prepared for you to hand over the leadership to someone else.
As a business owner, you don’t want to feel that the business runs you
So, when is a good time to leave? The answer is that there is never a perfect time to exit your business, but if you have built a solid business which is ready to withstand your departure, then it will be far more valuable if being sold.
In my experience the smoothest business exits happen when the directors and shareholders have spent time getting their businesses ready for a sale. One of the first steps is to carry out is an in-depth risk review of the business which will identify the key risks, what is in place to minimise them to an acceptable level, and what actions need to be taken before looking for a buyer.
Frequently, risks are associated with an over-reliance on one customer, failure to tie key members of the team into the business, the imminent end of a property lease and unresolved financial or legal issues. If addressed prior to the sale, then this will make your business more valuable. Buyers and their agents will be looking for red flags which could be used to negotiate down the sale price or which might prompt them to walk away.
There might be several different routes that a business sale might take which include:
• A trade sale which is a full or partial sale to another business which might include a competitor keen to expand.
• An investor sale – which is the full or partial sale to a financial investor or buyer.
• A management buy out / buy in which is a full or partial sale to an existing or new management team.
• An employee ownership trust, which is a full or partial sale of the business for the benefit of all employees.
Other key considerations need to be included in the sale, so that it is structured in the best way for the transaction to take place, include:
• If property is owned or leased by the business, Is it likely to form part of the sale or be retained as an investment and, if so, how the property should be held pending the sale.
• Is intellectual property an asset of the business?
Is it properly protected? How is it currently owned and how would ownership transfer as part of the transaction?
The due diligence process can be lengthy, and a prospective buyer will request access to detailed documents so a lot of time can be saved, and a better price achieved if all these documents are up to date and available before you start the process. This includes key customer and supplier agreements, property, vehicle or equipment leases, employment contracts, staff policies, insurance, and financial agreements. Up to date and accurate accounts and financial forecasts will also be needed.
The answer is that there is never a perfect time to exit your business
• What licences or distribution rights does the business have and can they be transferred as part of the sale?
When exiting a business, you also want to achieve maximum value for your hard work, and understanding your tax position is important as well as the timing.
There will also be tax considerations to plan for such as – will Business Asset Disposal Relief criteria be satisfied to allow for a Capital Gains Tax rate of 10% to be applied to the disposal? Capital Gains Tax annual allowances are reducing to £3,000 in April 2024, so completing the exit before then might provide some additional savings. Take advice to ensure that you are maximising all available exemptions, including your future exposure to inheritance tax once the sale has been concluded.
Getting your house in order will really help ensure that the process runs smoothly for you. If this is something you don’t have the time or ability to do then the services of a professional will help. Emotions will be high so some forward planning will ensure that the whole process is less stressful for you.
Only you can decide when to start a business and also when it is time to leave, so giving both equal consideration can help the journey to be more enjoyable.
This year’s theme of International Women’s Day (IWD) is #InspireInclusion. When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment. By
TESS DE KLERKWith well over a century of history and change, the first International Women’s Day was held in March 1911. IWD isn’t country, group or organisation-specific. It’s a day of collective global activism and celebration that belongs to all those committed to forging women’s equality.
World-renowned feminist, journalist and activist, Gloria Steinem, reportedly once explained: “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”
❛❛ The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights. ❜❜
International Women’s Day 2024 marks another significant milestone in the ongoing pursuit of gender equality and women’s empowerment worldwide. As the world commemorates this day on March 8th, the theme of “Inspire Inclusion” is a rallying call to continue to strive to create a world where every woman, regardless of her background, identity, or circumstance, feels valued, respected and empowered to fully participate in all aspects of society.
As the world comes together to commemorate this IWD, the spotlight is on the ways in which inclusion can be championed and barriers dismantled. It’s a moment to celebrate diversity and recognise the unique contributions of women from all walks of life.
Inspiring inclusion means fostering environments where women are not only welcomed but actively encouraged to thrive. It requires challenging entrenched biases, dismantling discriminatory practices, and creating opportunities for meaningful participation and leadership. From the boardroom to the classroom; from the halls of government to the corridors of activism, inclusivity must be at the forefront of our efforts.
With this in mind, while celebrating International Women’s Day, and in order to help #InspireInclusion, Dynamic asked six professional business women what advice they might offer to the young woman they once were at the start of their careers.
The advice I would give to myself is if you realise you may have made a mistake, don’t beat yourself up but do something about fixing it. I initially started my career as a graduate management trainee, working in insurance. When I realised that was not the career path that would make me happy, I decided to change things and went back to university, obtained a law degree and re-trained as a Solicitor. Had I not done that, I would not be where I am now
I would also say to believe in yourself in whatever you do and don’t give up. Be agile and be prepared to change your plans. It’s so important to identify what your values are and in whatever you do, and to stay true to your values. I would also surround yourself with like-minded individuals as that has allowed me and my business to flourish, and you will find yourself in a happy place at work and play.
Remember to always make time for family, friends and work colleagues. Life is likely to be a rollercoaster ride with challenges along the way but with a family surrounding you with love and support, and a great team behind you at work, you will overcome these challenges.
What I would say to my younger self? Probably so much it wouldn’t fit into 200 words! But the main thing would be to prepare for curve balls. Life never is quite as you expect it to be and you only fail when you set your own bar too high. In a world where you can only control what you can control, it’s easy to get so swept away worrying about the other stuff that you forget to focus on the bits that truly need you, and that you can make a difference doing.
Finally, don’t roll your eyes when someone says ‘time flies’. It truly does. Never take time and health for granted because it is only when you don’t have one of those two things that you realise just how precious they are. Love, laugh and smell the roses along the way.
❛❛ Life never is quite as you expect it to be and you only fail when you set your own bar too high ❜❜
DEE MATHIESON Managing Director, Elekta Ltd
❛❛ Being female does not need to limit what you can achieve; in fact, you will learn that it can be an advantage ❜❜
I would tell my younger self to work harder at school, so you don’t have to catch up when you decide what career you want to pursue. Don’t worry so much what you look like, it’s how you treat others and the relationships you build through life that matter most.
Be more confident in your abilities. When you get older, you will realise that you should have been. Be kinder to yourself and make sure you take time to do what you want rather than pleasing other people. Don’t have regrets, enjoy what you achieve and celebrate what you have.
Being the optimist that you are will be a great strength and your mantra, ‘this too will pass’ will carry you through tough times. Being female does not need to limit what you can achieve; in fact, you will learn that it can be an advantage.
And finally, do your post-natal exercises or accept that after having children, bikinis are a thing of the past. Oh, and look after your teeth, dentists will be very expensive, and you can avoid unnecessary pain!
Don’t label yourself, or be too quick to set limits on what you might be capable of. I grew up thinking I was organised but convinced I wasn’t terribly creative because I wasn’t good at drawing! It took me a while to realise that I do have creative ideas and some of them are worth pushing forward. Try to challenge those early conceptions because they’re not always the right ones.
I’ve also learned tons of things about growing a business that would come in useful! For starters, starting small and growing organically is just as valid a growth path as raising a load of cash and catapulting to scale. Secondly, building a business really is about the people on the bus and so you need to put loads of effort into recruitment – there really are some 10xers out there and it’s worth trying to find them and doing everything you can to hold on to them.
And on the flipside to that, as we say in our culture deck, it’s always better to have a hole than an arsehole! I’ve learned that you need to understand your company’s values and over communicate them – it’s the only way you can expect your team to take the decisions you’d want them to as you scale.
And perhaps the most valuable piece of advice of all –always wear trainers! It helps you get to appointments on time if you can run - and they’re so much more comfortable than heels.
CEO & Principal of North East Surrey College of Technology (NESCOT), Chair of Coast to Capital LEP and Catalyst South
CLAIRE PASQUILL Deputy CEO, Sussex InnovationI was 18 in 1995. It was a time of economic and cultural confidence, a fairly analogue decade where I was free to enter university with my fees paid by government and express my newly forming opinions without fear of being trolled. I had a tidy grant in my back pocket to cover some of my living expenses.
I look back with awe and gratitude; my 18 year-old self had some privileged experiences. But I was also a first generation scholar, keenly aware of the risks of debt, and my own family hadn’t navigated the worlds of academia or professional opportunities. No-one in my community had a career in the professions or in new industries like creative media. I was clueless about the worlds that university might open up for me and accessing advice online was years away.
So what might that 18 year old need to hear?
• Find a mentor; in fact find three! You’ll need people to help you navigate the spaces that your own mother didn’t travel
• Student and graduate debt will never be as cheap again: you might as well use it to….
• Travel more: you turned down all those summer travel offers in favour of minimum wage jobs
• Move around a bit more in your early jobs: Try things out and figure out where there’s a good fit for you.
I would tell my younger self the following three pieces of advice: Believe in yourself. I went through school without anyone (except my mother) believing in me or investing their time in me. It took until my first job to have someone inspire and mentor me. Ever since then I have sought out wise men and women and they have helped champion and believe in me. Find a mentor and champion.
Be true to yourself. I spent years worried about how I looked and what people thought and how they judged me. It took until my thirties to be true to myself to dress how I wanted and dye my hair whatever colour I wanted – and be proud of this. In a weird and unplanned way, this has now become part of my ‘brand’. Build an authentic brand.
Be kind to yourself (and others). I am a perfectionist and my own worst critic. It took until my forties (and Covid) to start thinking about ‘me time’ and how to have quality time for reflection – I still need to find time for wellbeing and healthy things. But also make time for others – I believe in reciprocity, and trying to be kind to others (most of the time!). Be kind and try to be vaguely healthy.
Social development specialist, ILDIKO ALMASI SIMSIC, considers the gender pay gap
In a world of seemingly endless offers of credit lines, training and networking opportunities targeting female entrepreneurs in typically male-dominated industries, one might think there is finally a level playing field. Many enthusiastic female entrepreneurs, like me, are inspired by the glossy PR of banks and investors. So, we start planning budget, strategy, operations, accounting, procurement. Once the plan is good to go, all we need to do is find the right financing for our purposes. If only it was this easy!
In 2023, I made the decision to expand my business and brave the waters of female entrepreneurship. My assumption was that having spent 15 years working with various financial institutions and setting up specific credit lines for female entrepreneurs, I was equipped to take on the necessary paperwork. My idea is innovative, in a maledominated sector (technology) with a company founded in a developing country by a woman. I thought I was hitting the jackpot because there are so many programmes out there targeting women. I was convinced I would have a hard time turning people down. What happened was quite the opposite!
Several studies, statistics, research and personal accounts proved what I had already known – women still have a harder time getting funding
I didn’t have to go far to be discouraged. Several studies, statistics, research and personal accounts proved what I had already known – women still have a harder time getting funding. I was wondering how it is possible in a world where we are bombarded with DEI PR by financial institutions, funds and other investors showcasing their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
How is it possible that men get 6.2 times more funding than women in the UK? Women started over 151,000 companies in 2022 in the UK, yet in 2023 only 3.5% of UK equity funding was allocated for a women-led business. An interesting point to add, is that over half of these 151,000 women-led companies are bootstrapped or self-funded. The US is doing even worse with only 2% of funding allocated for women-owned startups, despite women representing 38% of startup founders.
A Female Founders Forum survey found that 75% of the UK’s high-growth female founders thought it would have been easier to raise funds if they were men. Furthermore, 59% felt that they had been discriminated against for being a woman. I personally did not feel discriminated against, but also had no benefits based on my gender. I found that while it was easy to start the business, the startup environment was almost catering solely to high scalability companies looking for equity investors.
There are two types of funding available from external sources: debt and equity.
I was familiar with debt products through my work with international financial institutions (IFIs), who have dedicated products provided for commercial banking with the purposes of on-lending for women-owned and women managed businesses.
You can look at any of them, EBRD, the World Bank, IFC – there is no shortage of these initiatives. While most of them are targeting women in certain geographies, others are for more established companies – note the lack of startup loans.
The other option is finding investors. There is no shortage of private equity/venture capital fi rms who are looking for their next superstar entrepreneur, yet the Growth Index 2023, the annual ranking of 100 of the fastest growing brands in the UK, found that male-led businesses received millions more in funding than womenled businesses.
How is it possible that men get 6.2 times more funding than women in the UK?
The reason I never qualified, despite knowing this industry so well, was due to lack of partner banks in my country. The UK Government identified the lack of startup loans, and allocated £1bn through its Start Up Loan Scheme. The individual items are up to £25,000, which is very small, and the loan is structured as an unsecured personal loan at a 6% fi xed rate. Th is is very much microcredit territory that doesn’t signal a significant belief that the company will scale.
The numbers speak for themselves, in 2023, seven women-led and 34 male-led companies received venture capital or private equity funding. Looking at the size of the financing, and we see that women-owned businesses received £763,000, while men-owned businesses got an incredible £4.7 million. In the US, less than 3% of venture capital investments in 2019 went to women-led companies. Only one fi fth of US venture capital went to startups that had at least one woman on the founder team. We find the same gaps when looking at the average deal size – men-founded businesses get the larger investments.
The common argument is that women start businesses in sectors that typically don’t attract investor interest. Th ink of retail, wholesale, education, medical support, care or other services. While it could explain the lack of interest to invest in women, it doesn’t explain the lack of loans available to them.
There is also an expectation that women-owned businesses will scale slower, which doesn’t help with finding financiers. Scalability is an important factor in the startup world. Another misconception that somehow survived over the years is that startups are founded by young, white males. Therefore, not fitting into this stereotype makes it harder, it would seem.
While some of the sectoral or industry distribution of where women operate might be true, it doesn’t provide any reasonable explanation for the lack of funding for those few women that venture into the traditionally male-dominated world of finance and technology. I was looking into the technology industry for personal reasons, and found the daunting statistic from the Alan Turing Institute that only 2% of the startup deals over the past 10 years were awarded to female-founded AI companies. Have women founded only a small percentage of AI companies? Again, I have to disappoint, as the same study clearly states that, in 2022 alone, 11% of the AI startups had a female founder. Furthermore, 77% of venture capital investments were in startups without a female founder.
Some argue that the lack of female representation in venture capital leads to fewer women being funded. According to European Women in VC – a pioneering platform empowering female venture capitalists across the continent – only 15% of decision makers in the UK are women. 15% of business angels in Britain and 7% of business partners at the top 100 venture capital fi rms are women. Female venture capital partners are twice as likely to invest in companies with a female head and three times more likely if the CEO is a woman.
The other idea I came across is to encourage women to invest their own resources into businesses, thus becoming decision-makers and investors. Th is reminds me of the giving circles I encountered when working in Africa: women saving collectively to invest in each other. While the idea is not new or wrong, it doesn’t integrate women-owned businesses into the mainstream entrepreneurial infrastructure. Rather, it creates a segregated market segment created by women for women. Not very DEI friendly!
There is also another popular belief that women don’t have the knowledge to set up and run successful companies. The Imperial College in London started addressing any potential knowledge gap by adding entrepreneurship modules to STEM courses.
There are also additional programmes and accelerators that aim to provide training for female entrepreneurs. I can’t comment whether the knowledge gap still exists,
I found the daunting statistic from the Alan Turing Institute that only 2% of the startup deals over the past 10 years were awarded to female-founded AI companies
but it certainly is smaller than it used to be. Participating in an accelerator, however, is not a guarantee for success for women, as the World Economic Forum in 2021 concluded that some initiatives might actually be widening the gender gap, as women are only supported in raising debt, not equity.
As for me, I will join the majority of women-owned businesses who self-fund and try my luck without an investor or a loan. While the statistics don’t scare me, I am prepared to have a bumpy road to take my business to where I want it to be. I am inspired by women around me who support each other and lift each other up. On this International Women’s Day my hope is to see more women in decision-making roles continuing the to inspire the next generations!
Ildiko Almasi Simsic is a social development specialist working as an independent consultant supporting public and private sector clients to manage project related social and supply chain risks, and author of What Is A Social Impact? www.ildiko-almasi.com
If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader
Dolly Parton
Artificial intelligence has reached a point where the images it generates are nearly identical to real photographs, posing numerous challenges for society. In a highly praised move, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, recently committed to recognising AI-generated images and marking them on their platforms. The announcement came via a blog post from Sir Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs, who stated that the company is working on new tools to detect AIgenerated images. However, as AI advances and gains the ability to circumvent such detection methods, these efforts are likely to face challenges. The blog post coincided with AI’s entrance into the US presidential race through the dissemination of bot-generated audio impersonating Joe Biden, urging people not to vote in the New Hampshire Democratic primary. This audio was fake.
Harvard researchers have created an antibiotic that can overcome many drug-resistant infections. These infections have become a deadly global health menace, killing a million people every year. A new synthetic compound called cresomycin proved to be “highly effective” at killing deadly superbugs that are resistant to antibiotics, including Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Cresomycin is one of several promising compounds the team from Harvard University has developed to win the war against superbugs.
The research received early support from Harvard’s Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator, which awarded funding in 2013 to enable testing of drug compounds. Ongoing research was also recently awarded $1.2m by a nonprofit organisation for further development on oral antibiotics that could end the scourge of drug-resistant infections.
The first successful IVF pregnancy in a rhinoceros provides hope that scientists can save the northern white rhino from extinction. The method was tested in another rhino species, with researchers successfully creating a southern white rhino embryo in a lab. Scientists and veterinarians transferred two southern white rhino embryos into a surrogate mother at a conservancy in Kenya and recently confirmed a pregnancy of 70 days. As it stands, there are only two remaining northern white rhinos in the world.
A woman with a voice is, by defi nition, a strong woman
Melinda French Gates, philanthropist
According to scientists from the University of Florida and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan, a newly developed handheld device offers not only remarkable speed and user-friendliness but also exceptional cost-effectiveness in the fight against breast cancer.
The device uses inexpensive components, including $5 circuit boards and readily available glucose testing strips costing a few cents each. Employing paper test strips treated with specific antibodies, the biosensor interacts with targeted cancer biomarkers. When saliva is applied, the biosensor sends electric pulses to its contact points, detecting biomarkers. This innovation, deemed revolutionary compared to costly alternatives like mammograms, MRI, or ultrasound, could significantly aid breast cancer detection, particularly in underserved areas.
Learn to embrace your own unique beauty, celebrate your unique gifts with confidence. Your imperfections are actually a giftKerry Washington, actor
A recent study discovered zero cases of cervical cancer, the fourth most prevalent cancer among women globally, in young women who received full HPV vaccination in Scotland. Approximately 99% of cervical cancer cases stem from HPV, marking a significant advancement in healthcare.
“By priming your immune system to identify and combat it, in the event of encountering HPV, the likelihood of infection is greatly reduced,” explained Dr. Viki Male, an Immunologist at Imperial College London
People who are not in relationships should not have to deal with systemic disadvantages due to policies such as marriage tax allowances and single supplements for accommodations. A municipality in Belgium is now taking steps to address this issue. Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, located on the outskirts of Brussels, has agreed to assess the impact of its policies on single residents. This decision comes at a time when data indicates a 30% increase over a decade in EU households consisting of only one adult.
Carla Dejonghe, a councillor, successfully advocated for her municipality to consider the perspectives of individuals who live alone when formulating policies. She described this move as a significant milestone, noting that it marks the first instance of a municipality committing to evaluating its policies from the viewpoint of single individuals.
In our exclusive Spotlight feature, we highlight women who are doing good things in their community. They’re not always seen but we think they should be
Vicky arrived at Brighton & Hove Albion with a wealth of experience including winning the Champions League with Barcelona, seven Spanish Cups, six Spanish League titles, the Italian League, the Women’s FA Cup, two League Cups, the Spanish Super Cup and the Catalunya Cup on eight occasions
My proudest moment was leaving my country to be professional when I was 22. I left Barcelona in 2014 to join the professional league in the US – the National Women’s Soccer League. I couldn’t speak any English and I was so young and innocent. Everything I have had since is because I made that really critical decision to leave home at such a young age.
My personal and professional challenges have been the same; I played football in the first division for 16 years. I had to travel every weekend to play. Football taught me everything, but at the same time I sometimes feel like I lost my childhood/teenage years. I was fighting for something that in my country was seen as quite negative –a girl playing football but, in all honesty, I never paid much attention to the negative comments.
I miss home and a footballers’ career is short so although I sometimes feel like I am still sacrificing much, I know that I will still have plenty of time to do all the things I would like to still do. I don’t have time for hobbies but when the day comes that I am no longer putting 100% into my game, I will know it is time to retire. If I stopped playing football tomorrow, the first thing I would do is go snowboarding!
If I stopped playing football tomorrow, the fi rst thing I would do is go snowboarding!
If I could give advice to my younger self, it would be to be brave and take risks in life. If you like something, enjoy the process, as it goes quickly. This experience has taken me years and years to enjoy. Also not to not be so hard on myself. It is even harder for the youngsters these days to be in the public eye and to manage the stress that comes with it.
In my early football years, mental health was not spoken about, but having that support has become a normal addition to our performance and development schedule. If I go back, I would have asked for help. If you can be emotionally mature in this world, the quicker and easier you’ll get through challenging situations and make it to the top level. There have been moments where it has been really tough, but I learned from those situations, and I never gave up.
Now looking forward, I want to keep playing for a few more years but I have had so many injuries, so I am going to focus on gaining coaching qualifications. I am grateful that the Albion develops players and offers an all-round education, which can be hard to find in another club.”
www.brightonandhovealbion.com
www.womensleagues.thefa.com
Julia is a midfielder for Brighton & Hove Albion women’s team. Here she is in her own words
Having represented my country at under-17 and under-19 level, I made my senior international debut in 2018 and played for Sweden at the 2019 World Cup in France. In my second season with Albion, I captained the club in the second half of the campaign, making a total of 50 appearances in all competitions.
I grew up in Stockholm, Sweden with an Italian mum and Swedish father – I speak both languages. I was four or five years of age when my father used to coach my older brother’s football team. I used to stand on the sidelines watching each week. Eventually, I wanted to play too. We found a women’s team locally and I played with them, but I still played a couple of times with my brother’s team as well. I guess that experience of playing with boys as well as the additional training, gave me that extra edge because, at 14, I was called up by the professional club Bollstanäs SK in Sweden and I played professionally with them until the age of 16. I then joined AIK for a year and then joined Hammarby.
My proudest moment was being called up to the Swedish National Team in 2016 and being selected for the FIFA World Cup in 2019 in France.
My biggest challenge both personally and professionally is that I have had to give up a lot by living abroad, not seeing family and friends so much. However, I did choose to chase this dream…
If I could give my younger self any advice it would have been to just enjoy the process, encourage myself to have fun
Another challenge I had to overcome was to never compare myself to others either on or off the pitch. It was challenging as a young girl wanting to play football because there wasn’t really much professional women’s football broadcast. I didn’t have anyone to look up to. I have seen so many changes since then. These days, there are so many opportunities for young girls to watch women’s football due to the number of games played and being broadcast. Girls can also watch games on social media, this has really helped create role models to inspire them.
If I could give my younger self any advice it would have been to just enjoy the process, encourage myself to have fun, not to put too much pressure on myself and to not take everything so seriously. If you push yourself too much you will just stop enjoying it. The most important thing is to have fun and love what you do. This is my second season with the Albion. I captained the side in second half of the season last year and I am looking forward to climbing the table and the league and getting further into the Women’s FA Cup.
www.brightonandhovealbion.com
www.womensleagues.thefa.com
In the world of nutrition, vitamins often take the glory but minerals are equally as important and essential for normal physiologic functionBY TANYA BOROWSKI
Our bodies need minerals for many reasons. For instance, minerals help regulate body processes, including the regulation of gene expression. They also function in nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction, plus minerals help release energy from food and act as cofactors in our antioxidant and anti-inflammatory defences.
Minerals are also important for making enzymes and hormones. For example, without adequate zinc, iodine and selenium we would be unable to synthesise optimal levels of thyroid hormones. Additionally, minerals help in maintaining the body’s acid-base balance, supports the production of neurotransmitters and activates hundreds of reactions in the body.
It is believed that most of us in the UK have diets lacking in the required minerals. Contributing factors include:
Minerals can be divided into macrominerals and trace minerals. We need larger amounts of the macros which include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride and sulphur, while we only need small amounts of the trace minerals, iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc, cobalt, fluoride and selenium.
As humans we are unable to synthesise these minerals therefore, we must get them from our diet.
• Not eating nutrient dense foods plus drinking nutrient depleting liquids to excess (tea, sodas, sweetened beverages and alcohol)
• Depleted minerals in our soils, which leads to depleted minerals in our food chain.
• Stress depletes minerals (physical and mental/ emotional stress)
• Avoiding key minerals such as salt even though natural (not table!) salt is essential.
• Removing large food groups, such as animal products
Small changes such as drinking mineral water can make a huge difference to the overall quality of our diets.
Bicarbonate-rich mineral water is an effective remedy for heartburn in many people. The standard recommendation for patients with acid reflux is to avoid carbonated beverages of any kind, the concept is that the fizz pushes acid up into the oesophagus, causing heartburn.
However, mineral water containing high levels of acid-neutralising hydrogen bicarbonate, such as Gerolsteiner, Vichy Catalan and Fachingen are highly effective at reducing acid reflux and heartburn, a randomised. Placebo-controlled study found. (BMJ Open Gastroenterology)
MAGNESIUM
19 - 30 years old - 310 mg
31 - 50 years old - 320 mg
51+ years old - 320 mg
CALCIUM
19 - 50 years old - 1000 mg
51 + years old - 1300 mg
SODIUM
The World Health Organisation recommends no more than 2000 mg while the NHS suggests an upper limit of 6000 mg for adult women.
Firstly, not all mineral and spring waters are equal; each has its own unique content of minerals. Products sold as ‘sparkling water’ are neither a mineral or spring water, so let’s get these terms straight so you know what to look for in and what to avoid.
A natural mineral water can only be described as such if it comes from an underground water source that’s tapped at a natural or drilled exit and the level of minerals is a constant. As such natural mineral waters may be distinguished from ordinary drinking water by their purity at source and their constant level of minerals.
Spring water has to come from defined natural sources. However, it does not have to contain a constant level of minerals, and can be bottled from multiple sources.
Sparkling mineral and spring water form naturally when volcanic gases dissolve in springs or wells of natural water. Soda water, sparkling water or carbonated water is plain tap water with carbon dioxide creating the fizz. These aren’t necessarily bad for you, but they’re not providing much nutritional benefit either.
Gerolsteiner – considered the king of mineral waters. A German mineral water, Gerolsteiner offers bicarbonate at 1,800 mg per litre. Bicarbonate helps regulate your body’s pH levels and especially helps lower acidity in the body. Gerolsteiner also contains 348 mg of calcium, 108 mg of magnesium, and 118 mg of sodium per litre.
Vichy Celestins – another high bicarbonate mineral water from France offering 2,989 mg bicarbonate, 103 mg cacium, 10mg magnesium, but it is very high in sodium at 1,172mg therefore avoid if you struggle with high blood pressure.
Fachingen – a German water, naturally high in bicarbonate - 1,846 mg/l and a unique composition of minerals offering 99 mg calcium, 59 mg magnesium and 564 mg sodium per litre.
Badoit – a French mineral water that offers the high levels of bicarbonate at 1,250 mg per litre, 153 mg calcium, 80 magnesium and 180 mg sodium.
San Pellegrino and Perrier – both of these popular brands have a much lower mineral content than any of the previously mentioned. However, they still provide some minerals - 150 mg calcium, 180 mg (San Pellegrino) / 6 mg (Perrier) magnesium, 11 mg sodium, but only 239 mg/445 mg bicarbonate for each respectively.
Just a note on sodium, it has been demonised as a ‘bad’ nutrient as is the tendency to over simplify nutrition in the mainstream. But the human body requires sodium to conduct nerve impulses, contract and relax muscles, and maintain the proper balance of water and minerals. We need about 500 mg of sodium daily for these vital functions, one litre bottle of Gerolsteiner provides just 118 mg.
www.tanyaborowski.com
Leanne Maskell is an ADHD Coach, Director of ADHD Works and author of ‘ADHD Works at Work’ and ‘ADHD – An A-Z’
As people with ADHD literally think di erently to ‘most’ people, they can be very di erent to manage in the workplace. Here’s how managers can embrace this as an opportunity to make ADHD work at work:
Receiving training on the 30% developmental delay in executive functioning skills linked with ADHD, such as emotional regulation, and self-awareness, is key. People with ADHD have an ‘interest based nervous system’, meaning interest, novelty, and adrenaline will help them unlock their hyper-focus - and vice-versa.
ADHD can manifest differently in everybody, but having an ‘ADHD lens’ provides context for all situations. For example, understanding how Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria can arise may influence management decisions to provide written feedback and time to process this in advance of performance reviews.
Kogan Page (2021)
Neurodiversity at Work is a practical guide that explains what neurodiversity is, why it’s important and what the benefits are. It covers how to attract, recruit and engage neurodiverse talent. It features case studies from leading organisations like Microsoft who are already seeing the productivity, performance and financial benefits of neurodiversity in the workplace. Individuals in these companies are also experiencing benefits in their working environments. Also featured are interviews with prominent figures in the neurodiversity community and people who have successfully adapted their HR processes for neurodiversity.
Self-published (2023)
“ADHD at Work” is not just a guide; it’s a roadmap for turning ADHD from a perceived hindrance into a powerful asset. Whether you’re looking to improve your personal work experience, lead a neurodiverse team, or create an inclusive workplace culture, this book provides the tools and insights needed to thrive in the neurodiverse professional landscape.
By thinking differently about people who think differently, managers can unlock potential and performance beyond limits
As ADHD can be a disability under the Equality Act, reasonable adjustments may be required to level the playing field at work. This is not (just) an ‘HR’ thing - managers oversee this on a day-to-day basis.
Adjustments will be unique to the individual and may require ongoing conversations, especially in light of ADHD medication shortages. As a manager, providing psychological safety is vital, such as providing reassurance and encouragement about talking about ADHD at work.
Managers can also signpost to resources such as Access to Work, which can fund support addition to reasonable adjustments.
AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE TO MANAGING AND WORKING WITH NEURODIVERGENT EMPLOYEES, CLIENTS AND CUSTOMERS
By Victoria HoneybourneJessica Kingsley Publishers (2020)
Estimates suggest that up to 20% of employees, customers and clients might have a neurodivergent condition - such as dyslexia, autism, Asperger’s, ADHD or dyspraxia - yet these individuals often struggle to gain and maintain employment, despite being very capable. This practical, authoritative business guide will help managers and employers support neurodiverse staff, and gives advice on how to ensure workplaces are neuro-friendly. The book demonstrates that neurodiversity is a natural aspect of human variation to be expected and accepted.
ADHD has been scientifically linked with strengths such as creativity and innovation, so help employees identify their strengths and provide opportunities to use them. Breaking long-term work down into shorter ‘sprints’, with positive reinforcement of what’s working well, means that everybody wins.
By thinking differently about people who think differently, managers can unlock potential and performance beyond limits.
Jessica Kingsley Publishers (2022)
Showcasing these 30 incredible people, the extraordinary stories in this book show that the things they’ve achieved, created and inspired they did not despite being different but because they are different. From politicians, activists and journalists to YouTubers, DJs and poets, this book highlights a wide range of exciting career paths for neurodivergent readers.
By KELLIE MILLER
And she took some tiny steps to love herself.
Slowly whirling toward the rainbow, a light guide to her greatest love.
With colours like no other.
Enjoying her journey, a wildflower embracing herself. Growing wherever she chooses, in the stillness of the stars and the rhythm of the breeze.
Wind and pain,
sunshine and rain,
A velvety night, a meadow in the sky.
And she took some more steps to love herself.
She doesn’t have a name, she’s a wildflower dancing free.
Just Call Her Wild ower
By EloisaJane depicts the cycle of life in her paintings. Her muses are wildflowers, which she gathers on her walks for inspiration. She is interested in the overlooked, disregarded weeds and shines the spotlight on plants like stitchwort, celandine, oxeye daisy and ragwort. In championing these flowers, Jane asks us to see their beauty by slowing down and appreciating the world around us.
Her compositions are unfussy, using everyday receptacles such as glasses, cups and jam jars. The dying and drying foliage becomes more fragile as she works to capture their essence. Her painting foretells a profound message about the impermeant nature of life and the importance of celebrating the now.
Several paintings feature vintage striped and checked table linen inherited from her mother. These fabrics are
backdrops to her muse- flowers yet add drama and context to her still lives. She takes care to make the flowers and their receptacles centre stage while allowing space for internal reflection by leaving open spaces in each piece.
The paintings are created on board and have a driftwoodlike feel with sanded edges, texture, sgraffito and fl icked paint.
Her work is often rich in texture, as she is interested in random mark-making, believing that each mark has a beauty and energy that cannot be created through meticulous painting.
Jane wishes to push the genre of female flower painters and says she “avoids the ‘twee’ at all costs”. Her decision to paint ephemeral, fading flowers gives her work deeper meaning beyond proving she can reproduce pretty images. Like many of those with a creative spirit, “she is a wildflower dancing free”.
Kellie Miller is an artist, curator, critic and gallery owner. www.kelliemillerarts.com
She is interested in random mark-making, believing that each mark has a beauty and energy that cannot be created through meticulous painting
Hotel Du Vin in Brighton has plenty to offer, not least its prime location amidst the charming streets of the Lanes, guaranteeing an ideal launchpad for exploring Brighton’s vibrant heart, while the seaside is mere steps away from your front door. By Tess de Klerk
But it’s more than that; Hotel Du Vin is elegant in a lovely, understated way, an homage to its French philosophy. The mock-Tudor mixed Gothic revival building has been standing since 1934 and appears delightfully quirky and cosy from the outside.
But step through reception to be greeted by a spacious split-level bar with comfy leather club chairs, exposed brick, lots of wood and pleasing tones of indigo. Add just the right amount of sparkle from the gorgeous chandeliers, and it really is a space where you could lounge all day and night.
For those fair-weather days, the bar area extends to a rooftop which is sure to be a worthy sun trap.
Given the eccentricities of this unique building, you’ll fi nd individually styled rooms, each with its own character but lending overall to a beachy-chic style of décor. Th ink muted pastel hues, driftwood hangings and large, comfy beds with Egyptian bedding.
Underfloor heating is standard which makes for a nice change from trying to heat hotel rooms quickly with AC. In fact, the entire hotel was nice and balmy – just what was needed on a cold, drizzly day. My superior room was quiet, even though it faced a street, and a fantastic night’s sleep was had.
Bathrooms are guaranteed to please here with spacious showers, l’Occitane goodies and some rooms with roll-top baths. For a treat, book a sea view suite with twin roll top baths in the bedroom plus a telescope to make the most of your view.
Enjoy a relaxed bar lunch from a menu that incudes French classics such as croque monsieur and charcuterie, while the choice of drinks is extensive, ranging from signature cocktails to fantastic French wines. Anything you fancy, really. And if a classic cream tea is what you desire then you can have that too.
The on-site Bistro Du Vin is an elegant and contemporary space with a warm and inviting setting, serving Frenchinspired cuisine. Menus change every three months or so to ensure the supply of fresh locally-sourced ingredients. I chose the coquilles a la lyonnaise – scallops with pancetta, baby onions and mushrooms to you and – I as my starter. Absolutely divine.
Scallops can be a bit bland, I fi nd, and it often is down to what else is in the shell to bring out the fl avour. In this case,
Hotel Du Vin is elegant in a lovely, understated way, an homage to its French philosophy
the tiny onion, teeny bit of spinach and punchy red wine jus just worked together beautifully.
Next came the seared trout with fi ne beans, lemon, capers and hazelnuts – all beautifully presented, perfectly cooked and tasty. Th is was followed by pot au chocolat; unapologetically French, so rich and decadent that I thought I would never need chocolate again. As if.
On that particular evening, I was in the mood for seafood but I’ll be going back to try the chateaubriand as well as Bistro Du Vin’s signature beef cheek bourguignon. I’ve heard good things.
Service was great; attentive without being in any way obtrusive, everything arrived with perfect timing and my additional requests were taken with genuine warmth.
DISABILITY ACCESS: There is one room that is fully accessible for wheelchair users. The bar and bistro are accessible too.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: Cots are supplied free of charge while extra beds can be arranged for an additional £30 in the rooms big enough to accommodate an extra bed.
PET-FRIENDLY: Dogs are welcome for an additional £30. Importantly, make sure to call ahead since only courtyard rooms can accommodate pets.
• The Cosy Rooms start from £90 per night in March; suites start from £185 during the same period.
The hotel has various meeting spaces, ranging in style and size. An example is the Ridgeview room that has doors opening to its own fully stocked bar – ideal for special occasions – with a capacity for up to 16 guests when laid out in cabaret style. The smallest of the meeting rooms can accommodate nine people in a boardroom style setting while the largest is the lovely Dome room. It is spacious and airy with glass windows in the dome and a huge chandelier made of wine glasses. It’s an ideal space for weddings, seating up to 100 people and Hotel Du Vin prides itself on going the extra mile for couples on their special day.
Mmm, as is often the case, staff can make or break a place and the staff were really lovely. Professional but not at all pretentious. Everything was meticulously clean. I also appreciate that a stay won’t break the bank. Oh, and the chunky wooden, gargoyle-topped staircase.
In our new series, ‘Best Pub Grub’, we’ll be looking for fantastic pubs across the South East serving exceptional food. By Tess de Klerk
We’ll often focus on Sunday dinner because who doesn’t love a great Sunday roast? But to be featured in our series, establishments must also have a good atmosphere and winning service. We’ll fi nd those hidden gems and we’ll be doing the legwork so you don’t have to.
The White Hart doesn’t look like much from the outside but it is lovely inside with exposed beams, leather couches and quirky touches. We were there on a cold Sunday, and were very pleased to fi nd a crackling fi re and a buzzy atmosphere while being invited in as if we were friends, or at least regulars.
The White Hart clearly prides itself on its meat expertise, evident from the showcase of cuts next to the bar, including Tomahawks and Porterhouse steaks, as well as their motto ‘more than meats the eye…’. Thursday evenings are dedicated steak nights with special prices for those sharing hefty cuts, plus a carafe of house red thrown in for good measure.
Burgers abound to include interesting combos such as the Korean pork belly burger with honey glaze and kimchi, while vegetarians can choose the Bangkok Bad Boy bean burger. Vegans will fi nd two options on the menu (besides fries, onion rings etc); the plant burger and veggie mixed grill.
If there was a star of the show it was the succulent beef sirloin, cooked to perfection with a tantalisingly pink centre
We were there on a cold Sunday, and were very pleased to fi nd a crackling fi re and a buzzy atmosphere
We didn’t have anything off the regular menu since we were one-track minded and starved for a good Sunday roast, of which there were five varieties to choose from. There was the Sussex sirloin of beef; roast chicken; veggie roast; roast trio; or guest roast, the last one of which was turkey when we visited.
I opted for the trio – beef, chicken and nut roast. Our plates arrived piled high – really high – topped with huge Yorkshire puddings. If there was a star of the show it was the succulent beef sirloin, cooked to perfection with a tantalisingly pink centre. Alongside, the roast chicken had crispy skin and juicy, tender meat. The nut roast, encased in fl aky pastry was superb, bursting with rich, earthy fl avours.
The roast potatoes were not as crisp as I would have liked on the outside but defi nitely fluff y on the inside while the cauliflower cheese melted in the mouth, adding a creamy contrast to the meal. Each Yorkshire pudding was a golden, airy delight, perfect for soaking up the smoky gravy. Vibrant carrots, sweet parsnips, and kale made for colourful and nutritious accompaniments, completing a fantastic Sunday roast.
My criticisms lie in the fact that The White Hart couldn’t offer gluten-free Yorkshire puddings (there was a glutenfree gravy though) and that the plates were too small for the meal – it took some effort to keep things from spilling all over the table. Also, there was no indication on the menu for those with dietary requirements beyond vegetarian or vegan. It’s easy to do and makes life easier for many people.
I would have liked dessert but had had enough gluten for one day with the nut roast and Yorkshires. Unfortunately, the only dessert choice for me was either ice cream or a cheeseboard – neither of which I fancied. My partner had sticky toffee pudding, which he enjoyed.
We were spoilt for choice; cocktails, an extensive list of gins and a good choice of wines.
The service was good and the landlady was very accommodating when I changed my coffee order after it had already been made. Our roast dinners cost us around £18 each.
The White Hart, Station Road, Buxted TN22 4DP www.thewhitehartbuxted.co.uk
Hop to Winkworth to help Basil the Bunny start his first day as the Easter Bunny’s assistant. Become Basil’s alarm clock, race him to work, and meet his Easter friends. Pick up your trail from Easter HQ (opposite the Kiosk). £3.00 per trail which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and dairy or vegan and Free From* chocolate egg.
Winkworth Arboretum, Nr Godalming March 27th - April 7th www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ visit/surrey/winkworth-arboretum/ events/b1c53560-a3ef-4620adae-150c84eba7b3
Following a triumphant sold-out November run, Robert Plant’s Saving Grace, the co-operative featuring Suzi Dian (vocals), Oli Jefferson (percussion), Tony Kelsey (mandolin, baritone, acoustic guitar), and Matt Worley (banjo, acoustic, baritone guitars, cuatro) have announced their 2024 live return with a 10-date tour in March.
White Rock Theatre, Hastings March 27th
https://whiterocktheatre.org.uk/ whats-on/event/robert-plant-presentssaving-grace-featuring-suzi-dian
Imelda Staunton is among the UK’s most renowned actresses, known for a wide range of roles in the theatre, television and film. Of 13 Olivier Awards nominations, she won four and has been nominated for five BAFTAs. She also received an Oscar nomination for her role as Vera Drake. Imelda’s other appearances onscreen includes twenty episodes of The Crown, portraying the Queen to much acclaim.
Horatio’s, Brighton Palace Pier April 10th www.the-space.uk
Join us on a wonderful 30k sponsored walk through the Sussex countryside to raise money for Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity – for children under five with cerebral palsy and other motor learning impairments.
A moderate route, it is suitable for anyone who enjoys walking a long distance. The terrain on this circular walk will be varied.
Holmstead Farm, Cuckfield March 16th
https://register.enthuse.com/ ps/event/WalkTogether2024
Follow the Gruffalo’s Child on her adventurous mission in Tall Stories’ enchanting adaptation of the much-loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warnings about the Big Bad Mouse and tiptoes out into the deep dark wood. She follows snowy tracks and encounters mysterious creatures – but the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist... does he?
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford March 29th - 31st
www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/ whats-on/the-gru alos-child
This beautiful production from the producer and director of the awardwinning Eva Cassidy Story is an expose of the life of Doris Day. Though her on screen persona was full of romance and Secret love, the real story was much more dramatic. This production charts her life as a jazz singer to an idol of the silver screen and beyond.
The Royal Hippodrome, Eastbourne March 21st
https://royalhippodrome.com
Looking for tips on how to live more sustainably?
Visit the Weald & Downland Living Museum to explore the art of thrift. From make do and mend, to upcycling and swapping, visitors can find out how people in the past reduced waste and saved money and discover how you can turn unwanted items into something useful.
Weald & Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Nr. Chichester
April 6th-7th
www.wealddown.co.uk/events/get-thrifty
Join our Guided Tree Tours to learn more about our Champion Trees, see our seasonal highlights and understand the influence that the Messel family had on the creation of this wonderful garden. After the success of last year’s tours, we’re happy to be hosting in 2024. Join one of our expert volunteer Garden Guides for a 90-minute tour showcasing all the seasonal highlights that Nymans has to offer.
Nymans Gardens
March 19th
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/nymans
