The Hove & Portslade MP was recently appointed to Sir Keir Starmer’s Cabinet. Surrey Magazine looks at the work ahead for the new Secretary of State for Science Innovation & Technology SURREY CHAMBERS
7 Surrey Chamber News
A round up of Surrey Chambers of Commerce members’ news
10 Local Skills Improvement Plan
Continues to deliver to the business community
16 Surrey Chamber Events
What’s on for Surrey Chambers members
19 University of Surrey
Team SURTES driving innovation in sustainable motorsport NEWS
22 International news
A round up of the important business stories from around the world EVENTS
20 Platinum Club
Now in its 16th year, it remains the pre-eminent networking forum in Sussex
24 Surrey Business Awards
Tickets are now on sale for the ‘business event of the year’ for Surrey
42 Sussex Business Awards
The 36th annual Sussex Business Awards are open for entries
PLATINUM MEDIA GROUP
50 Brighton & Hove Business Awards
Yup – the BAHBAs are back! The city’s premier business awards return to life
56 Property Professionals Lunch
The latest event saw Maarten Hoffmann tease the guests with an announcement
FINANCE
40 Kreston Reeves
The benefits of owning a UK holding company LEGAL
26 Mayo Wynne Baxter
Are pre-nuptial agreements a waste of time?
46 DMH Stallard
Maximising wealth for future generations BUSINESS
36 Gatwick Airport
The airport hosted a week’s work experience for local schoolchildren
44 Help To Grow
Platinum continues to support local businesses and their owners with the offer of a 12-week management course – FREE OF CHARGE
48 Graves Jenkins
Modern offices available for lease in Hove – the 1st Central County Ground
52 Company formations: East Sussex
In the latest in our number-crunching series, Surrey looks at company formations across the region.
This month, we highlight East Sussex
58 Creative Pod
The creative agency has once again joined several companies together for an impressive sponsorship deal
61 Cleankill
The company, not for the first time, has achieved ‘Investors in People’ status, to go with its many previous accolades CHARITY
54 St Peter & St James Hospice
CEO Martin Powell highlights the precarious state of the charity sector, and asks commerce to help OPINION
62 Anger Management
Working from home could be killing the economy, suggests Maarten TRAVEL
64 De Vere Horsley Estate
Tess de Klerk finds a place in Surrey that’s good for doing business – and relaxing.
MOTORING
66 BMW X6 40i
Platinum welcomes Guest Editor, Adam Bateup, Director of Sussex Floor Restoration Ltd, who drove a BMW X6 40i for week.
CHANGE: A NEW DAWN
Since last month it has been all change on the political landscape, following the General Election. However, even though the government has changed, it is business as usual at Surrey Chambers of Commerce where we continue to represent businesses, and work in partnership to create a business landscape that encourages investment and confidence in the way forward. We are already sharing our needs with the new government and will focus on influencing business policies.
ECONOMY AND POLICIES
We have recently published the results of our national Recruitment Outlook survey which reported that 74% of firms attempting to recruit in Quarter 2 were still facing problems hiring staff. It’s alarming that recruitment difficulties have increased in recent months across all sectors.
❛❛ The commitment to an industrial strategy could put in place a framework to unleash the pent-up ambition of British business to grow the economy ❜❜
People shortages and labour costs are ramping up pressure on firms and holding back growth. We need to prioritise help for people to get back into the labour market and remove the barriers to business investment in training. Better planning for skills is crucial. We look forward to building on our Local Skills Improvement Plan to maintain the strong partnerships between employers, training providers and others - ensuring people get the skills and support they need. The recent King’s Speech included 40 Bills covering everything from railways to tobacco sales but there was a great deal relevant for businesses. The commitment to an industrial strategy could put in place a framework to unleash the pent-up ambition of British business to grow the economy.
Billions of pounds of private investment have been held back by businesses which have been watching and waiting for long-term certainty in the economy. The Government’s clear intention to speed up the planning system for large scale infrastructure can feed that business confidence. Measures to increase business resilience, reform of the apprenticeship levy and legislation to support sustainable aviation fuel could also boost the economy.
BUSINESS SUPPORT
There is funding available to businesses for Artificial Intelligence training through the government’s AI Upskilling Fund, but these must be applied for by businesses by August 18th 2024. Evidence shows that a lack of AI skills in businesses is hindering AI adoption, in part due to low investment in AI upskilling by UK businesses. This is particularly true in smaller companies.
The pilot aims to increase AI adoption and productivity by incentivising greater employer-led investment in skills and training. Eligible businesses can apply for funding for up to 50% of the cost of AI skills training and other AI upskilling activities. The training should support employees to develop their technical skills and/ or understanding of AI, helping them develop, deploy, or use AI in their role.
BUSINESS SURREY
Businesses are now benefiting from the Business Surrey website, taking advantage of the information and events geared towards helping them to succeed. The events page includes many opportunities to network across Surrey including the varied series of events put together by Surrey Chambers. There is also the opportunity for some direct advice, so it is worth contacting them to find out more.
BUSINESS AWARDS
Surrey Business Awards are now closed for entry but if your business is based in Spelthorne, there are
WHILE YOU’RE HERE...
Platinum Media Group enjoys the largest circulation of any business magazines in the UK, reaching over 720,000 readers across the South East and this includes 468,000 online readers. If you can’t wait for the next issue then jump onto our social media platforms and join the conversation.
opportunities for local entries. There has been so much evidence to show that winning business awards has a great impact on a business’s success that we would strongly encourage you entering. Details of these awards can be found here: Spelthorne Business Awards.
We hope you all have a great summer and look forward to welcoming you to our exciting programme of events after the holiday season.
Surrey Chambers of Commerce can be reached on 01483 735540, info@surrey-chambers.co.uk, @surreychambers www. surrey-chambers.co.uk
Louise Punter CEO Surrey Chamber of Commerce
CHAMBERS NEWS
JOY AND TEARS AS BUSINESS AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED
There were scenes of joy, plenty of emotions and congratulations galore at this year’s Runnymede Business Awards which took place at Royal Holloway, University of London.
The awards event brought together dozens of businesses as well as support organisations to celebrate the hard work which goes into running the shops, firms and operators which together make up the borough’s vibrant business community.
Overall winner on the day was Addlestone-based KickX, which claimed the Business of the Year award and the Entrepreneur and Innovator of the Year Award.
KickX opened in Addlestone less than a year ago by Vik Sharma. It has reengineered football into new indoor forms, which is a world first, has raised over £2m and attracted top names from the football world. It is also a very
community-centric business bringing people of all ages to enjoy sport in the town centre.
Speaking at the awards, Mayor of Runnymede, Cllr Elaine Gill said, “It has been great to hear about so many fantastic businesses. It is so important that we celebrate these achievements, you have all done really well and you are all winners.
“Congratulations to all the business leaders, shop owners and staff who we are celebrating. I hope that you will go back and find a place to proudly display your certificates on the office wall or in the shop window.
“We want to support businesses because you create jobs and prosperity in Runnymede. You are also at the heart of our communities which is so important to us. I never cease to be amazed by all the work that is done by you.”
WHERE IS THE LOVE WHEN IT COMES TO PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS?
As residential property solicitors, one of the most frequently asked questions we get is “why do property transactions take so long?” And it’s a very good question.
Research as to average transaction times vary, but has been cited as at least 22 weeks, by the Conveyancing Association in their submissions to the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Inquiry in May 2024.
Morr & Co deals with many hundreds of residential conveyancing transactions every year and its expert team is perfectly placed to
deal with any transaction, no matter how complicated, high value or time sensitive.
Whether it is first time buyer’s flat or a large sprawling country pad (a particular specialism of ours) buyers go back to them again and again due to the confidence that they have that Morr & Co, at least, does its bit to achieve a timely and efficient outcome to a transaction.
It cannot promise a quick turnaround (anymore than any other firm can) but what it can promise is that, due to the fact that it limits the amount of work
it takes on, the firm can ensure that nothing sits on its desks; transactions are quickly and meaningfully processed at all stages. Essentially, if it can be quick it will be quick.
Contact our Residential Conveyancing team on 01737 854500 or by emailing info@morrlaw.com.
GLOBAL TRAVEL MANAGEMENT NAMED BEST WORKPLACE IN TRAVEL 2024
At the recent prestigious Best Workplaces in Travel Awards 2024, Woking-based Global Travel Management (GTM), a leading business travel agency, has announced that it has been named winner in the Small Companies category.
Winning this award is a testament to GTM’s commitment to fostering a positive and supportive work environment. This was the first time GTM had entered the award scheme, and the accolade is particularly significant as the winners were determined based on a comprehensive survey of employees.
Scott Pawley, Managing Director of Global Travel Management, expressed
his gratitude and pride in the company’s achievement, stating, “I am delighted that we’ve been recognised as making Global Travel Management a great place to work. When Natalie Pawley and I started the business 27 years ago, we had two equal priorities: keep every customer happy and make GTM a great place to work.
“I am happy to say that the latter helps us every day with the former. We’re much more than a business, we’re a family. And, like most families, we’ve worked hard to overcome the rough and enjoy the smooth together. Every member of staff makes GTM a great place to work for every member of staff.”
GTM attributes its success to its inclusive decision-making process, where every member of staff is consulted on every decision the company makes. This approach ensures that GTM remains a great place to work and continues to provide exceptional service to its customers.
DEMYSTIFYING BRANDING AND MARKETING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
For small businesses and entrepreneurs, professional branding and marketing services can often seem out of reach. The traditional route of hiring an agency comes with a hefty price tag, making it an impractical option for many. However, the rise of online design tools and accessible resources is empowering businesses to take a more cost-effective, DIY approach to their branding and marketing efforts.
Tools like Canva, Adobe Express, and Snapseed have revolutionised the design process, enabling non-designers
to create visually stunning marketing assets with ease. These user-friendly platforms offer a wide range of templates, graphics, and editing tools, making it simple to craft professionallooking logos, social media graphics, flyers, and more.
Beyond design tools, there are numerous online resources available to guide businesses through the branding and marketing process. Free online courses, blogs, and YouTube tutorials offer valuable insights and step-by-step guidance, covering topics such as brand strategy, content creation, social media marketing, and more.
One valuable resource is the “Marketing & Branding Bootcamp for Beginners” by Polly Sheldon, an industry expert with over 20 years of experience
branding global businesses. This selfpaced course condenses Sheldon’s expertise into an easy-to-follow format, empowering freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses to transform their brands and achieve measurable results.
With the right tools and resources, small businesses can now take control of their branding and marketing efforts, saving money and gaining a competitive edge. By embracing a DIY approach, they can create a cohesive and impactful brand identity that resonates with their target audience and drives business growth.
For more information on the Beginners Marketing & Branding Bootcamp course, go to https://pollysheldon.kartra.com/ page/MarketingBootcamp or visit https://pollysheldon.kartra.com/ page/free-training for a FREE training session and a taster of the impressive results possible for non-technical beginners using free tools.
The LSIP team celebrated the delivery of two further skills events in June and July; both designed to engage with employers and providers and help bring them together to explore aspects of the skills system and address challenges
The LSIP continues to empower local businesses through a collaborative skills events programme
The first of these events was the Logistics, Transportation and Storage Skills Summit, held at East Surrey College. The college welcomed representatives from business and education to talk through some of the skills challenges facing the logistics and related sectors.
Speakers Francesca CaramelleNgoma (Innovation Cluster Programme Manager) and Krithika Rames (Senior Project Manager) from Connected Places Catapult spoke insightfully about diversity and inclusivity in the sector. Further sector discussions took place from Debbie Reeds (Employer Engagement Lead at Surrey Choices) around making the sector workforce more inclusive.
This was followed by Ben Snellock (Project Manager & Interim Distance Learning Manager at Nescot) discussing the need for upskilling the current workforce in the industry and allowing current employees to gain more specialised skills and knowledge for alternate roles with employers. The final topic of discussion came from Nick Allen (Co-Founder & CEO at Low Carbon Impact) and was focused on making logistics more sustainable and having access to affordable decarbonisation solutions.
“Employer events are invaluable to the local economy to support the workforce in the area. Every business is unique and therefore their needs and wants are also unique. Being able to speak with employers and actually find out what they need in their business, means we, as a college, can continue to shape
the curriculum to suit the employment market. This is not only beneficial to the students, but the businesses get what they need in an employer. This supports their pipeline growth in recruitment and benefits them in the long term.”Michelle Perkins, East Surrey College.
The LSIP followed this activity up with another successful event, the second webinar in the Skills Webinar Series titled ‘Powering Up Your Potential with Skills Bootcamps’, further maintaining the drive to build dynamic relationships between employers and providers, a key priority outlined in the LSIP report.
The webinar showcased the free, government funded courses that are being offered by Basingstoke College of Technology, Surrey County Council and Hampshire County Council, utilising existing training providers. Skills Bootcamps are flexible training courses for adults aged 19 or over, but also for employers aiming to upskill their existing workforce.
This webinar explored the reasons why business should be interested, evidence that Skills Bootcamps work, the skills being trained across the area, how these are delivered and more importantly, how to get involved.
For more information on the Bootcamps available and how to apply, please visit Surrey County Council, Hampshire County Council and Basingstoke College of Technology
More webinars in the Webinar Series will take place over the next few months, including:
n How Careers Hubs can help businesses engage with schools and colleges;
n Insights into Apprenticeships / Skills Bootcamps / T Levels, with examples of where and why they work in addressing skills gaps and supporting future talent;
n What is labour market information and how can it help connect people to the world of work?;
n Why should employers be getting involved in work experience opportunities such as internships and placements?;
n How can ‘hidden’ pools of talent help businesses improve diversity and inclusion in their workforces?;
n How can employers improve use of technology to aid business finance and help individuals improve their productivity through a better understanding of numbers?
To fi nd out more about future webinars or to watch recorded versions of previous webinars, please visit www.surrey-chambers.co.uk/future-skills-hub/past-webinars or contact us at lsip@surrey-chambers.co.uk
NEW MEMBERS
SURREY CHAMBERS EVENT CALENDAR
AUGUST 2024 ONWARDS...
SURREY YOUNG PROFESSIONALS TOP GOLF AND NETWORKING
September 4th – 17:00-19:30
Top Golf, Moated Farm Drive, Addlestone, KT15 2DW
Whether you are new to the world of networking or simply wish to brush up on your networking skills, our Surrey Young Professionals Networking series is here to connect you with like-minded people. All abilities welcome - enjoy the chance to improve your golfing skills in a fun and supportive environment whilst making new connections!
BUSINESS BREAKFAST
GUILDFORD
September 10th – 08:00-10:00
De Vere – Horsley Estate, Horsley Park, Ockham Road South, East Horsley, KT24 6DU
Starting at 8am, our Business Breakfasts are hosted by a member of the Chambers team at a different venue, so expect some gorgeous locations and simulating conversations at these events. Feel free to bring banners and literature to these events, and don’t forget your business cards!
BWIS EXCLUSIVE SPA AND NETWORKING AFTERNOON
September 5th – 14:00-20:00
Pennyhill Park Spa, GU19 5EU
BWiS invites you to an exclusive, members only, spa afternoon at Pennyhill Park. Please enjoy a cream tea, access to the award-winning spa and the opportunity to network with like-minded business women in Surrey.
Join us to hear from industry leaders on the challenges and opportunities within the commercial and residential sectors. This lunch is for anyone with an interest in property – commercial and residential, town planners, architects, surveyors, interior designers, sustainable construction etc. It’s an opportunity for you to meet and connect with other businesses in the property industry.
MEMBERS’ NETWORKING EVENING
September 26th – 18:00-20:00
Lythe Hill Hotel, Petworth Road, Haslemere, GU27 3BQ
Our Members’ Networking Evening is a monthly event where we invite our current members to join us to catch up on the happenings of the previous month’s business calendar. Members’ Networking Evenings are the perfect opportunity for an informal, relaxed gathering with members you already have relationships with and those you don’t.
‘PROFIT ACCELERATION:
WORKSHOP FOR BUSINESS OWNERS
October 4th – 09:30-11:00 Online
Not only will we share our many years’ experience in helping business owners build multi-million pound businesses, but you will be attending with a cross-section of your fellow business owners eager to share their real life experiences and successes so that we can all discover what IS working and what is NOT working locally.
BWIS BEGINNER’S GOLF DAY
October 3rd – All day Chobham Golf Club, Knaphill, Woking, GU21 2TZ
Join us for a special Golf Day on October 3rd, designed exclusively for Business Women in Surrey! This event offers a fantastic opportunity to hone your golfing skills, network with like-minded professionals, and enjoy a day out in a beautiful setting!
Welcome to Business Bites - a networking lunch with a guest speaker and an interesting choice of topic. 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!
Surrey University Racing Technology and Engineering Solutions (SURTES) is the University’s pioneering studentrun motor racing team, made up of undergraduates studying a variety of disciplines from engineering and science, to business and law.
TEAM SURTES DRIVING INNOVATION IN SUSTAINABLE MOTORSPORT
In July, they competed at the renowned Formula Student 2024 at Silverstone; Europe’s most established educational engineering competition. Team SURTES entered two ambitious projects - an electric vehicle design in the ‘Concept Class’ category, and an ethanol-fuelled combustion car for ‘Formula Student Class’. They were one of the first teams to bring a successful electric car to the competition back in 2016, and their goal is to continue to highlight sustainability in motor racing.
The competition aimed to encourage enterprising and innovative young engineers to take up a career in engineering, and many past members of SURTES have been successful in doing so. Kristian Goodall, who led the team in 2018, is now the number two mechanic for Aston Martin’s F1 team, and Harry Swanborough has recently become the Lead Project Engineer at Bugatti Rimac.
Earlier in April, SURTES was delighted to showcase its seventh iteration of electric car, the 2023 ‘SE7’, at the Guildford Lions Classic Car Display on Guildford High Street. The car drew much attention and the team was delighted to receive great feedback and encouragement from car enthusiasts and engineers alike.
“As proud sponsors, we love supporting Team SURTES. They were great in showcasing their vehicle to the public and talking about their upcoming event at Silverstone, which we are excited to attend!” – Unilife Student Accommodation
In a bid to increase recognition across the University and the business community, SURTES now has a dedicated Business and Marketing department which will
manage investment and funding for the competition projects. It is offering sponsorship opportunities to forwardthinking organisations who would benefit from involvement with the team and wider University.
“We are very proud of our Formula Student Society here at Surrey, who compete year on year in the IMechE
event at Silverstone. This is a fantastic opportunity for a would-be sponsor to partner with Surrey and advertise their services or products on the car. It’s a high-profile event where 70 teams from across the globe, and potential new customers, all convene at Silverstone. We welcome all new enquiries”. –Noelle Hartley, Mechanical Engineering Sciences, University of Surrey
Sponsorship deals have already been secured with businesses renowned for excellence in the motorsport industry including Altair, Henkel, Deatschwerks and many more. Student accommodation providers Unilife have also recently joined the sponsorship team, and SURTES are proud recipients of the Formula Student Build Fund, beating 70 other universities to win the award.
To fi nd out more about SURTES, Formula Student 2024 and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Molly Judd (Head of Business and Marketing) at mj00896@surrey.ac.uk.
❛❛ 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
Des Henderson, Account Executive, Jensten Insurance Brokers; Richard Zinzan, Director, archangels ARCHITECTS ; Martin Williams, Partner, Mayo Wynne Baxter ; Maribel Coles, Business Development Director, Nettl; Sonny Cutting, Founder, Sussex Business Show
Jonathan Grant, Partner, DMH Stallard; Maarten Hoffmann, Managing Director, Platinum Media Group; Emma Cleary, Founder & Director, Flexibility Matters; Richard Pollins, Managing Partner, DMH Stallard
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, 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
Stephanie Prior, Managing Director, Prior Media; Rosie Butler, COO, BN1 ARTS ; Mia Bird, CEO, BN1 ARTS ; Fiona Graves, Events Director, Platinum Media Group; Jamilla Sabo, Solicitor, Britton and Time Solicitors; Pippa Moyle, CEO, City Girl Network
Donna Holland, CEO, Rockinghorse; Alex Bailey, Global CEO and Co-Founder, Bailey & French; Emma Cleary, Founder & Director, Flexibility Matters
Simon Gregg , Associate, Fusion Business; Sophie Campbell-Adams , Solicitor and Director, Britton and Time Solicitors; Richard Pollins , Managing Partner, DMH Stallard
Jamie Servante, Business Advisory Director, Kreston Reeves; Alasdair Wilson, Corporate Finance Assistant Manager, Kreston Reeves; Alex Smith, Director, ForLoop Consulting
Craig Staddon, CEO, Plumpton Racecourse; Beth Warner Manager FRP Advisory; Geoff Davies, Founder, Pivotal Edge AI
Graham Gayler, Non Executive Director, Ridgeview Wine Estate; Paul Cannons, Senior Investment Manager, RBC Brewin Dolphin
Jennifer Anderson-Haysom, Managing Director, Anderson-Haysom Interiors; Mia Bird, CEO, BN1 ARTS
Sonny Cutting, Founder, Sussex Business Show ; Lee Mancini, Founder, Agility Films; Martin Williams, Partner, Mayo Wynne Baxter
UK PROPERTY SALES INCREASE
The number of agreed house sales for June 2024 was up 15% on the same month th previous year, according to Rightmove. The news comes as buyers anticipate interest rate cuts they hope could come as early as August.
Britain’s biggest property website said homebuyers largely shrugged off the “distractions” of the general election and Euro 2024 to keep transactions well above this time last year.
It said the number of sales being agreed was now an “encouraging” 15% above the same period a year ago and sales were likely to increase by the autumn. This time last year the UK market was struggling to cope with the peak of mortgage rates.
NEWS BULLETIN
UNILEVER ANNOUNCES JOB CUTS
Unilever plans to cut a third of its office-based roles in Europe by the end of 2025, the consumer goods giant has said.
It comes after it announced in March that it would be cutting costs, affecting about 7,500 roles globally. The firm said it would begin a consultation process with those affected by cuts in Europe, with about 3,200 jobs being axed in the region.
"We recognise the significant anxiety that these proposals are causing among our people," it said in a statement. The changes are part of efforts to revive growth at the firm under boss Hein Schumacher, who took over as CEO in 2023 after underperformance in recent years.
HERE COMES THE SUN
The Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, is planning a ‘rooftop revolution’ that will see millions more homes fitted with solar panels. He also took the hugely controversial decision this weekend to approve three massive solar farms in the east of England that had been blocked by Tory ministers. The three sites alone in Lincolnshire, Suffolk and Rutland – will deliver about two-thirds of the solar energy installed on rooftops and on the ground in the whole of last year.
The King’s Speech, opening the new term of Parliament, included legislation for setting up the new publicly owned energy company GB Energy. Ministers are working with the building industry to make it easier to buy new homes with panels installed or install them on existing ones from next year.
❛❛ So long as your desire to explore is greater than your desire to not screw up, you’re on the right track ❜❜
Ed Helms
POST OFFICE CEO 'STEPS BACK'
Post Office boss Nick Read is stepping back from frontline duties so he can prepare for the next stage of the Horizon IT inquiry. The CEO said he wanted to give his "entire attention" to the final hearings in September, which come as the company faces intense scrutiny over its role in the scandal.
The inquiry is scrutinising the failings that led to more than 900 sub-postmasters being wrongly prosecuted for stealing between 1999 and 2015 because of incorrect information from an IT system called Horizon. The next and final stage will focus on ‘current practice’ at the Post Office and ‘future recommendations’ for the business. Deputy CEO, Owen Woodley, will step in as acting CEO until the end of August as Mr Read prepares.
SOLAR ENERGY PROVIDER TO BE LIQUIDATED
A solar energy project developer linked to perennial pollution supplier Thames Water is to be liquidated and its staff made redundant as the crisis engulfing the debt-laden water supplier puts strain on its complex corporate structure.
Trinzic Operations Ltd, which is ultimately owned by Thames’s parent company Kemble Water Holdings, is to be voluntarily shut down.
London-based Trinzic is subject to a members’ voluntary liquidation – when a solvent company is shut down –and Kemble is attempting to recoup more than £25m from the business. Thames Water’s current debt is estimated at £15.2bn.
❛❛ The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails ❜❜ John Maxwell
BURBERRY APPOINTS NEW CEO
Burberry has ousted its chief executive as the luxury British brand warned on profits and said it wanted to “reconnect” with its core customers.
The company said in July that Jonathan Akeroyd was leaving “with immediate effect” and “by mutual agreement with the board”. It comes less than three years after the former Versace boss was appointed in 2021.
Burberry has appointed the former Coach CEO and Farrow & Ball Director Joshua Schulman to the top role and revealed a list of “immediate actions” needed to reverse the company’s fortunes after issuing its second profit warning this year. It follows a double-digit decline in sales across its core markets in what the company described as a “disappointing” first quarter.
PHOTO: BURBERRY
By Charles Le May, Partner, Mayo Wynne Baxter
ARE PRE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENTS A WASTE OF TIME?
WHAT ARE PRE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENTS?
Once the preserve of Hollywood actors and A-List celebrities, pre-nuptial agreements (agreements prior to a marriage or civil partnership) and post-nuptial agreements (agreements made after the ceremony) are becoming increasingly common, These agreements are simply agreements made by two people who are embarking on a marriage or civil partnership and want to ensure that they can agree what would be the financial outcome in the event of a subsequent separation or divorce. For instance, they may want to protect an inheritance or ring-fence assets that they have acquired over the years prior to their new relationship, with a view to leaving those assets to children from a previous relationship.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE ISN’T SUCH AN AGREEMENT?
In the event of a divorce or a dissolution, the Judge has a number of set criteria or factors which he or she must weigh up to reach a decision as to what would be a fair division of the assets of the parties. The Judge will look at all the assets that each person owns as they are at the time of the hearing, and will not usually take into account any agreements that the parties may have reached prior to marriage taking place unless they are recorded in a pre-nuptial or postnuptial agreement.
❛❛ The crucial advantage of a pre-nuptial agreement is that it can, if properly drawn up, be the decisive factor for the Judge’s decisions ❜❜
WHAT IF THERE IS A PRE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENT?
The crucial advantage of a pre-nuptial agreement or a post-nuptial agreement is that it can, if properly drawn up, be the decisive factor for the Judge’s decisions. In this way, couples can agree on a potential outcome and be more certain as to what might happen in the event of a separation. It can protect assets that one party may wish to ring-fence and keep in his or her family, such as inheritance or family heirlooms, or property acquired before the marriage. Such an agreement will save a small fortune in legal fees if it manages to avoid a subsequent lengthy and costly court battle.
ARE THERE ANY DISADVANTAGES?
A pre-nuptial agreement can never stop a spouse applying to the court for financial provision from the other spouse. However, if such agreements are freely entered into by each party with a full appreciation of their implications, and provided that they result in a fair agreement, then Judges will regard them, at the very least, as extremely influential in the outcome. One also might argue that such agreements can be unromantic, and I have often found that parties find it very difficult to comprehend discussions which are based on their happy relationship failing.
WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR A SUCCESSFUL PRE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENT?
The agreement must be freely entered into by both parties. There cannot be any pressure or undue influence from either party on the other. To help avoid such implications, both parties must have independent legal advice from a specialist family solicitor, and there must be a cooling off period of at least 28 days between signing the agreement and the wedding.
❛❛ The court does not regard it as unfair if one party wishes to ring fence assets that they have worked for or acquired prior to the relationship ❜❜
Both parties must have full knowledge of the other party’s financial position before the agreement is entered into. This is usually recorded in a schedule attached to the agreement.
The agreement must be fair to both parties. If the couple have plans to start a family, then the agreement must reflect this possibility. The easiest and most commonly used way to do this is to include a clause in the agreement requiring that the agreement is reviewed every five years or so, or perhaps that it is reviewed following the birth of a child. The agreement must always ensure that any children do receive adequate financial provision.
The court does not regard it as unfair if one party wishes to ring-fence assets that they have worked for or acquired prior to the relationship. This could, for instance, include an inheritance or
simply a business interest. A person’s existing family wealth or their assets acquired prior to the marriage, can therefore be protected by this type of agreement. However, again, it is very important that the agreement does meet both parties’ needs. If the effect of the agreement is that one party is left with less than their needs, whereas the other party is comfortably provided for, the agreement is likely to be regarded as unfair and will be disregarded.
I find that probably the most common use of pre-nuptial agreements is by clients embarking on a second marriage, having already acquired assets and possibly already having a family. However, I am seeing more often younger clients who have not previously been married, who simply want to be able to regulate their own outcome in the event that the relationship does not stand up to the test of time.
PETER KYLE THE SCIENTIFIC POLITICIAN
The 2024 General Election has brutally swept away the old guard in order for a new Labour administration to take over.
Among the new Cabinet appointees – only four of the 26 have ever served in the Cabinet – is The Right Honourable Peter Kyle, MP for Hove & Portslade (formerly just ‘Hove’).
Peter has been named the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The office was created by a government reshuffle in February 2023. The Department and Secretary of State’s remit are to have responsibilities to "deliver improved public services, create new and better-paid jobs and grow the economy.”
He is only the third Minister to hold this role, so who is Peter Kyle, and how does he intend to carry out his responsibilities?
❛❛ The elevation to a Cabinet role also conferred upon him elevation to the Privy Council, whereby he will hold the title The Right Honourable for life ❜❜
Peter John Kyle was born on September 9th 1970 and grew up in near Bognor Regis, West Sussex. He was educated at Felpham Comprehensive School (now Felpham Community College), near his home town.
While at school, he found out he had dyslexia and left school, in his own words, "without any usable qualifications". By the age of 25, he was accepted – on his third attempt –to become a student at the University of Sussex, where he gained a degree in Geography, International Development and Environmental Studies. He later gained a doctorate in Community Development.
He worked as an aid worker and as a project director for the charity Children on the Edge in Eastern Europe and the Balkans helping young people whose lives had been affected by the political instability created by the Bosnian War and Kosovan War, helping to establish an orphanage in Romania.
❛❛ While at school, he found out he had dyslexia and left school without any usable qualifications ❜❜
PERSONAL LIFE
From 2016 to 2017 Kyle was chair of governors of Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (Falmer High School in old money).
For eight years he was in a relationship with Czech-born Vlastimil Tiser, until Tiser's death in 2012. His mother died of cancer the following day. He told the Times in an interview that "2012, the year of the Olympics, one of the best years for many people, was the worst year of my life. I was on autopilot. There was constant adrenaline. Then afterwards, silence.”
His father passed away in 2024.
PHOTO: PETER KYLE/LABOUR PARTY
IN WESTMINSTER
In 2006, Kyle became a Cabinet Offi ce special advisor focusing on social exclusion policy. From 2007 to 2013, he was deputy chief executive of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO). In 2013, he became CEO of Working for Youth, a newly formed charity focusing on helping unemployed youth.
Peter was first elected to Westminster at the 2015 General Election, securing 42.3% of the vote, and a slim majority of 1,236 in the Hove constituency. In the aftermath of Labour’s defeat, a new leader was required, and Peter backed fourth-placed Liz Kendall. No fan of Jeremy Corbyn, Peter also backed Owen Smith in his ill-fated attempt to oust Corbyn a year later.
As a backbencher, Kyle sat on the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee between 2016 and 2020. In May 2016, he questioned Mike Ashley, boss of Sports Direct, over poor working practices in his warehouses. Ashley accused Kyle of making "defamatory comments" against him and called for the MP to stand down from the committee.
Parliamentary Privilege allows Kyle - or indeed any MP – to ask what they want, and frame it how they see fi t, without fear of prosecution for libel, if uttered within the Palace of Westminster.
He campaigned for remaining in the European Union during the 2016 referendum. In 2018, he rebelled against the Conservative government and the Labour Party whip in order to vote in
❛❛ Hove does have a problem with immigration—that is, people fl ocking from London, buying our property and clogging up our commuter trains. Such is the burden of living in the coolest place in Brighton – sorry, Britain ❜❜ Peter Kyle during his maiden speech in the Commons, 2015
❛❛ Peter was first elected to Westminster at the 2015 General Election, securing 42.3% of the vote ❜❜
favour of an amendment which would have kept the United Kingdom in the European Economic Area (EEA) in the event of the country leaving the European Union.
However, in 2022, six years after the referendum, he spoke in favour of Labour accepting Brexit and presenting a "positive vision for a better Britain" outside of the European Union.
Peter has championed apprenticeships, pledging in August 2016 to create 1,000 apprenticeships in 1,000 days in co-operation with the council and via the
creation of a Greater Brighton Employer Skills Task Force.
Since 2020, he has held a variety of Shadow Minister roles, including Shadow Minister for Victims and Youth Justice; Shadow Minister for Schools; Shadow Norther Ireland Secretary and Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Peter on the campaign trail in George Street, Hove with Rachel Reeves and Sir Keir Starmer, 2024
PHOTO: PETER KYLE/LABOUR PARTY
❛❛ One of Peter Kyle’s first appointments was to bring Sir Patrick Vallance, the former chief scientific officer, into Government ❜❜
IN GOVERNMENT
In July 2024, he was appointed Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. This elevation to a Cabinet role also conferred upon him elevation to the Privy Council, whereby he will hold the title ‘The Right Honourable’ for life.
His portfolio covers, among other things, the Online Safety Bill; oversight of science and technology; Research bureaucracy; overall R&D budget; economic and national security; Horizon Europe (the pan-European scientific research and innovation project); Advanced Research and Invention Agency; UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and much more.
As Secretary of State for DSIT, Peter has announced plans to revamp the department to transform public services and fuel economic growth through science and technology, all while integrating AI into the operations of government.
Peter envisions DSIT helping to “upskill
civil servants so they are better at using digital and AI in their frontline work, as well as ensure the government has the right infrastructure and regulation to become more digital.”
He has outlined a plan for DSIT to coordinate the efforts of multiple departments across data, digital and AI. Under the new structure, experts within Government Digital Service, the Central Digital and Data Offi ce and the government’s Incubator for AI will combine expertise under one department, according to the announcement.
The DSIT’s mission includes building a digital government framework to interact with the British public in a more personalised and effi cient way, including providing citizens with single sign-on access across government services.
“This will form part of wider efforts to launch DSIT as the digital centre of government, working closely with the Cabinet Office and the Treasury, to maximise the potential of digital, data and technology to deliver for the British public,” concludes Kyle.
PRIVY COUNCIL “THE RIGHT HONOURABLE”
The Privy Council is notionally the body of formal advisors to the sovereign. Members of the Cabinet, senior politicians, and a few other offi cials are appointed as members for life, and are personally entitled to be styled Right Honourable thereafter.
Privy counsellors are appointed by the sovereign on the advice of the prime minister, and remain members for life unless they resign or are expelled.
In practice, membership of the privy council is granted to: n all members of the Cabinet; n senior members of the Shadow Cabinet, the leaders of the major political partiesin parliament, and the Speaker of the House of Commons;
n the fi rst ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the leader of the largest opposition party in the Scottish Parliament; n the two archbishops of the Church of England, who sit in the House of Lords ex offi cio;
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
One of Peter Kyle’s fi rst appointments as Minister was to bring the highlyrespected Sir Patrick Vallance, the former chief scientific officer, into Government as Minister for Science, a role within DSIT.
The Labour Party’s General Election manifesto pledged several measures to help drive innovation and scientifi c and technological growth in the UK. They included a new industrial strategy and reforms to the planning system to support innovation by making it easier to build laboratories, digital infrastructure, and gigafactories.
The manifesto also pledged to support the development of the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, in particular by removing planning barriers to new datacentres, and to create of a national data library to bring together existing research programmes and help deliver datadriven public services.
In addition, it has pledged to abolish short funding cycles for key R&D institutions, typically three years in length, in favour of ten-year budgets. It has also pledged to work with universities to support spinouts and with industry to ensure start-ups have the access to finance they need to grow.
n senior judges, who fulfi l the judicial functions of the Privy Council; n senior representatives of the Commonwealth nations; and n senior members of the royal family.
The Right Honourable (or The Rt Hon.) is anhonorifi c style traditionally applied to certain persons and collective bodies in the UK, the former British Empire and the Commonwealth of Nations. Right in this context is an adverb meaning 'very' or ‘fully'.
Grammatically, The Right Honourable is an adjective, rather than a title. Right may be abbreviated to Rt, and Honourable to Hon., or both. The is sometimes dropped in written abbreviated form, but is always pronounced.
❛❛ The real test of any government will be on the extent to which they deliver on their manifesto promises ❜❜
Alongside these moves, it also promised to create a new regulatory innovation office to regulate rapidly developing technologies, notably AI. These, and many more science, innovation and technology-related pledges were made, and they all fall within the orbit of Peter Kyle’s government department.
Among the items in the King’s Speech, delivered on July 17th, Peter Kyle’s department will be at the helm of a Digital Information and Smart Data Bill will allow people to use digital ID to buy age-restricted products and for things like pre-employment checks, and a Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will set out new rules designed to protect critical infrastructure from attackers.
Additionally, coming under the purview of both Ed Miliband’s Energy department and Peter Kyle’s Science, Innovation and Technology department, the King’s Speech also said, quote, “My Government recognises the urgency of the global climate challenge and the new job opportunities that can come from leading the development of the technologies of the future.
“It is committed to a clean energy transition which will lower energy bills for consumers over time. A Bill will be introduced to set up Great British Energy, a publicly owned clean power company headquartered in Scotland, which will help accelerate investment in renewable energy such as offshore wind [Great British Energy Bill].”
For his part, Peter told Channel 4 News when asked about the Horizon Europe project, and the UK’s recent re-entry into it, “Luckily, we have a very resilient world-class scientific community in the UK. We have the Crick Institute, we have a university sector that’s very mature, and we have great partnerships between the private sector and public research institutions.”
In the same interview, when pushed on how universities will fare economically, Kyle responded, “It’s not just the economic settlement that is the issue. Now, the department I’m responsible for funds the research side of universities, and it’s crucial funding. We want to make sure we can make better use of the existing funding, so we’re moving away from one- to three-year funding programmes, to ten-year R&D programmes. It benefits the health of the nation, economic growth, and our priorities that we set out an industrial strategy.”
The new Government seeks to clarify national and international science policy while enhances the UK’s status in technological pursuits, while mking it more accessible. In this regard, Peter Kyle will certainly have his work cut out. At present, he appears to be on top of his brief. However, the real test of any government, its departments and its individual leaders – Peter Kyle included – will be on the extent to which they deliver on their manifesto promises; a scantly adhered-to document in recent Parliaments.
Peter’s constituency office in Church Road, Hove
PHOTO: PETER KYLE/LABOUR PARTY
A group of 28 school students from the local area took part in work experience at London Gatwick for the very first time
London Gatwick hosts work experience for school students
The students’ week (July 8th-12th) was focused on understanding early career opportunities at the airport, recognising the importance of essential skills in the workplace and learning how to contribute towards a more sustainable future.
London Gatwick hosted students from all eight Crawley secondary schools, aged 14-15, who learnt communication skills, put together group presentations and listened to panel discussions by employees from different areas across the airport, from marketing and airline development to finance and passenger operations.
In addition to workplace and life skills, the students were taken on behind-thescenes tours of the airport, including the airfield and the terminals.
Sustainability is key at London Gatwick and the students also engaged in a biodiversity session, which included a habitat talk and a seed bomb workshop.
Melanie Wrightson, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, London Gatwick said, “We are thrilled to have offered local school children such a fantastic opportunity this week. It was clear to see how much the students enjoyed themselves and experienced the breadth of career opportunities at London Gatwick. The week itself was supported by around 60 colleagues involved in the planning and hosting activities.
“Many activities took place in our STEM centre (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), a bespoke, hands-on space to engage and teach school children across the region about STEM and aviation.
“A diverse and skilled pipeline of local talent is critical to a healthy labour market and London Gatwick’s future growth. It’s imperative we promote the opportunities the airport has to offer from a young age. This work experience week is just one of the many ways we are engaging with schools, which includes a regular flow of activities at our STEM centre and an extensive package of career-related support and outreach in local schools.”
❛❛ The students were taken on behind-the-scenes tours of the airport, including the airfield and the terminals ❜❜
LONDON GATWICK STAFF SAVE PASSENGER’S LIFE
A team of dedicated London Gatwick staff was thanked by a passenger for saving his life after he went into cardiac arrest at the airport. Passenger Eddie Barnes was travelling through London Gatwick’s North Terminal on October 24th when he suddenly went into cardiac arrest. A total of 12 staff from security, passenger operations, and the London Gatwick Fire Service responded and administered CPR for more than 15 minutes, using a defibrillator to restart his heart, before he was taken to hospital via an ambulance.
Thankfully, Eddie has since made a full recovery, and recently met with the staff who responded to the incident to say thank you. Eddie was taken to the airport’s airside fire station where he received a tour
14 NEW ROUTES LAUNCH AT LONDON GATWICK FOR GREATER GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY
London Gatwick has launched 14 new routes, expanding its offerings to 223 destinations served by 56 airlines.
New routes recently underway include short-haul flights to Gothenburg (Sweden), Vagar (Faroe Islands), Ponta Delgada (Azores, Portugal), Varna (Bulgaria) and Salerno (Italy).
New long-haul options include Halifax and St John’s (both Canada), Beijing and Guangzhou (both China), Erbil (Iraq), and Singapore.
This expansion enhances connectivity for travellers and brings significant economic benefits to the surrounding regions.
of the facilities and had a chance to meet with those involved.
Eddie said, “The cardiac arrest that I suffered must be the most profound experience for myself and those close to me, and yet had the team at London Gatwick not successfully applied CPR, I would never have known a thing about it.
“I had absolutely no warning when it happened, I simply dropped dead. I am told that for more than 15 minutes, CPR was applied in the course of
which I received 16 broken ribs and the paddles were applied five times (and once more in the ambulance).
“The heart surgeon informed me the number of ribs broken bears testimony to how well the CPR was applied. It is hard work applying CPR and I will be eternally grateful to the team for not giving up.”
London Gatwick’s Passenger Operations Support was called to 2,832 first aid calls last year, ranging from cardiac arrests to managing queues. Scott Ronaldson and Przemyslaw Karpicki were some of the first colleagues to respond to the incident that morning.
Scott Ronaldson, Passenger Operations, London Gatwick, said, “At the time Przemyslaw and I were close to finishing a night shift and were doing our usual lap to make sure everything was running smoothly. It was when we were talking to security we noticed screens being pulled across.
“When we got to Eddie we noticed he wasn’t breathing. I tore his shirt off and commenced CPR with Przemyslaw until the rest of our team came with a defibrillator.
“Thanks to the training we received from the London Gatwick Fire Service, we are well prepared for these circumstances.”
Przemyslaw Karpicki, Passenger Operations Support, London Gatwick, said: “At that moment, during CPR, I wasn't thinking about my feelings, I was focused entirely on helping Eddie. But when I got home at the end of my shift, reality hit me. Together with my colleagues, we gave someone a chance to live, and that feels incredibly special.”
❛❛ London Gatwick is committed to being a partner and advocate for a thriving resilient local economy ❜❜
LONDON GATWICK CHAMPIONING THRIVING REGIONAL ECONOMIC GROWTH
London Gatwick recently hosted a lunch event with a strategic group of economic stakeholders to discuss opportunities for long-term, sustainable economic growth in the region.
The event, held at Ridgeview Wine Estate in Sussex, brought together key figures to explore roles in promoting inward investment, enhancing skills, and boosting the visitor economy. The insights from these discussions will shape the agenda of London Gatwick’s annual Economic Summit, scheduled for this autumn.
Ridgeview Wine Estate is an example of how Gatwick is helping local businesses thrive and grow. The airport has introduced a range of Ridgeview wines in its World Duty Free stores as part of the Sussex Six campaign, while the brand is also on the menu in Gatwick’s North Terminal restaurant, Sonoma.
Additionally, London Gatwick recently invited West Sussex wine producer Loxwood Meadworks to offer passengers samples of its Honey Wine. Loxwood Meadworks also collaborated with Juniper & Co Kitchen and Bar in Gatwick’s North Terminal to promote its locally inspired menu, featuring products like Sussex Charmer cheese.
London Gatwick is committed to being a partner and advocate for a thriving resilient local economy. By fostering connections among regional stakeholders, supporting local producers, and driving strategic discussions, Gatwick is playing a crucial role in ensuring the long-term economy of the region.
By Mohammed Mujtaba, Corporate Tax Senior Manager, Kreston Reeves
BENEFITS OF OWNING A UK HOLDING COMPANY
Broadly speaking, a holding company is one which does not normally carry out a trade of its own (although in some cases it can do) but instead exists to ‘hold’ assets like equipment, property, IP or most commonly, shares in subsidiaries. This allows a group to ringfence valuable assets from active trading companies as well as provide a common ‘head office’ for corporate groups.
The choice as to where to locate your holding company is very important as often relocating a holding company can be a costly and time-consuming exercise. The location will also impact commercial, tax and legal decision making, both with the initial decision and also in shaping any future considerations.
CORPORATE INCOME TAX RATE
The headline rate of Corporate Tax in the UK is 25%. However, it should be noted that since most holding companies will not have significant business activities this may not be an important factor in the decision to locate a holding company in the UK.
WITHHOLDING TAXES
The UK does not impose withholding tax on the payment of dividends by a company which means that profits can be returned to parent entities/ shareholders without any tax leakage.
The default rate of withholding on interest and royalties locally in the UK is 20% but this can be reduced or even eliminated entirely under the UK’s double tax agreements with other countries, which is one of the most extensive double tax treaty networks in the world.
Similarly, by having access to this extensive tax treaty network, UK companies can also reduce – or in many cases eliminate – withholding taxes suffered on income and profits where the respective double tax agreement provides for it.
❛❛ The choice as to where to locate your holding company is very important as often relocating a holding company can be a costly and time-consuming exercise ❜❜
TAXATION OF DIVIDEND INCOME
Dividends and distributions received by UK companies are typically exempt from corporate income tax regardless of whether they are paid by UK or overseas companies. In particular, subject to specific anti-avoidance cases, the following are normally exempt:
n Distributions from controlled companies;
n Distributions from portfolio companies (<10% shareholding);
n Distributions in respect of non-redeemable ordinary shares.
TAXATION ON SALE OF SUBSIDIARIES
The Substantial Shareholding Exemption (SSE) can apply to the disposal of shares in a subsidiary (UK or overseas). Where it applies, any capital gain (or loss) is exempt from tax. Broadly the SSE applies where:
n More than 10% of the shares in the subsidiary have been held for a continuous 12-month period during the six years to the date of disposal.
n The company being disposed of has been a trading company, the holding company of a trading group or the holding company of a trading sub-group.
CONTROLLED FOREIGN COMPANY (CFC) RULES
Like many jurisdictions, the UK has CFC rules. However, the UK has moved to a much more territorial basis of taxation through a broad range of exemptions and exceptions which can mitigate the application of the CFC rules. The exemptions and exceptions include: a tax avoidance Gateway Test, an excluded territories exemption, a low profits exemption and a low profit margin exemption.
COMMERCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
The UK consistently ranks as one of the best places to locate a holding company due to its robust legal system, relative political and economic stability, geographical location, low costs of company administration and attractive tax environment.
Whether you are in the UK or overseas, a multinational business looking to expand or a private individual with assets around the world, we are here to assist you.
For expert advice and support, please contact Mohammed Mujtaba, Corporate Tax Senior Manager:
Crawley is known for its large business population. There are 3,500 active businesses in the borough and it is attracting funding for regeneration and growth programmes.
These businesses need support to thrive, and Gatwick Diamond Business and the Help to Grow: Management programme are doing just that. Gatwick Diamond Business is a not-for-profit organisation that has been supporting the success of local businesses for over 70 years.
We spoke to Sally Brown, General Manager about the work that gdb does. “We aim to be recognised by businesses and partners as the top membership organisation for facilitated business networking, knowledge sharing and partnering. Our support adds tangible value to members and, through their success, we make a significant contribution to the Gatwick Diamond economy.”
❛❛ We aim to be recognised by businesses and partners as the top membership organisation for facilitated business networking, knowledge sharing and partnering ❜❜ Sally Brown, General Manager, Gatwick Diamond Business
Businesses in the area are diverse, and gdb has over 360 member companies employing in the region of 40,000 people – numbers which are constantly growing!
Sally told us what is unique about businesses in the area. “We have a fantastic collaborative community in Crawley and across the Gatwick Diamond region, and this shouldn’t be underestimated. It provides us all with a great support network through positive relationships with partner organisations and stakeholders like Crawley Borough Council, the Sussex & Surrey Institute of Technology, Manor Royal BID, Crawley Town Centre BID and, obviously, London Gatwick Airport.
“London Gatwick provides an exceptional gateway into our beautiful country. It’s not just an airport; it’s the pillar of our local economy, providing jobs, opportunities, and driving investment in Crawley and beyond, across the Gatwick Diamond Region.”
We asked Sally what the best thing about working for Gatwick Diamond is and she told us, “We meet really interesting and engaging people, and having the opportunity to work with so many innovative and exciting thought leaders is an absolute privilege for me and the team. Not all regions of the country work as collaboratively and, with such a genuine community spirit as ours, and this is something we don’t take for granted.”
Sally is looking forward to joining the Help to Grow programme in Crawley later in the year. “I was disappointed not to have joined last year’s Help to Grow Crawley cohort, as I heard great things about it from those who were lucky enough to be involved. I am very much looking forward to joining the group later this year and using what I learn to help with our continued focus on improving the gdb member experience.”
Limited fully funded Help to Grow Crawley places for Platinum readers.
www.brighton.ac.uk/helptogrow
WHAT IS HELP TO GROW?
Help to Grow is a 12-week business training course for senior leaders. It is run by experts at the University of Brighton, and returns to Crawley in November to help businesses in the local area to grow.
The programme is taught face-to-face and online over 12 weeks and includes your own one-to-one mentor to assist you in producing your own growth plan.
Modules on the programme include strategy, marketing, digital adoption, vision and values, leading change and winning new markets.
l 90% Government funded
l For leaders in businesses with five-249 staff
l Mini MBA style content
l Become a better leader
l Time away from work to invest in your business
l Networking with other local businesses
l Over 200 business leaders taken the course so far
❛❛ The programme gave me the free time to work on my strategy and to look at leadership. I would definitely recommend the programme to others –the networking with the group was really beneficial ❜❜ Francois Clement Kurt J Lesker Company
To request your limited sponsored place on Help to Grow in Crawley saving £750 sign up now quoting PLATINUM24 under other when asked where you heard about Help to Grow.
Email helptogrow@brighton.ac.uk if you have any questions.
Ingrid McCleave Liz Gillingham
By Ingrid McCleave, Partner, and Liz Gillingham, Senior Associate, DMH Stallard
MAXIMISING WEALTH FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
The benefits of a family investment company
WHAT IS A FAMILY INVESTMENT COMPANY?
A family investment company (FIC) is a company which has been formed (or repurposed) to:
n hold investments for a single family; and
n transfer wealth from the founding generation to subsequent generations in a controlled and tax-efficient manner.
The key features of a FIC are:
n Control
Initially, the FIC will generally be controlled by the founding person/ people – usually the parent(s). This may be achieved by giving the parent(s) enhanced voting rights which give them the right to outvote the other shareholders. The founding members will generally also control the board and day-to-day decision-making on behalf of the company. When the founding generation dies, or elects to transfer control, control of the FIC will pass to the next generation.
❛❛ FICs are generally best suited to those with a substantial amount of wealth which they do not require access to in their lifetimes ❜❜
n Share classes
FICs usually have several different classes of shares, to allow for different levels of dividends to be paid to family members. Sometimes shares will have different capital rights to allow for capital growth in the underlying assets to flow to the next generation (“growth shares”).
n Restrictions on membership
Only members of the family (and perhaps only blood relatives of the founding members) will be allowed to hold shares in the FIC. This aims to avoid shares becoming dispersed in the event of death or divorce.
n Activities
Most FICs are non-trading. Instead, they exist to hold and manage investments on behalf of the family.
WHY WOULD YOU USE A FIC RATHER THAN A TRUST?
Both FICs and trusts are useful methods of tax planning and managing wealth. They are often used in tandem to achieve the best results for future generations. The specific advantages of a FIC over a trust are that:
n A trust is limited to £325,000 per settlor (person putting funds in trust);
n Trusts carry continuing inheritance tax implications, such as exit and anniversary charges;
n Trusts come with a high administrative burden;
n The settlor of a trust is (usually) excluded from benefiting from trust assets; and
n When dealing with dividends, in particular, FICs are more tax efficient because companies do not have to pay tax on dividend income. For example, a FIC would retain all of a £10,000 dividend with no tax to pay, whereas a trust would have to pay 40% tax and so would be left with only £6,000.
FICs are generally best suited to those with a substantial amount of wealth (usually £1 million plus) which they do not require access to in their lifetimes.
❛❛ A family investment company offers a strategic way to manage wealth, ensure tax efficiency and preserve family assets for future generations ❜❜
FUNDING AN FIC
The founding generation will generally fund the FIC with assets such as cash, property or investments. The controlling members then manage the assets to produce income and capital growth for the benefit of the FIC’s shareholders and future generations.
n One of the most tax-efficient and flexible ways of funding a FIC is by loaning cash to the FIC. The FIC can then repay the loan (with no tax consequences) as an alternative to paying dividends (which would be taxable). Eventually, the loan could be transferred to the next generation to allow funds to be extracted by repayment rather than dividends.
n If the FIC does not pay market value for the assets (for example, where the assets are gifted to the FIC), the value of the asset transferred may be subject to inheritance tax if the transferor dies within seven years.
TAXATION OF FICs
A FIC is taxed in the same way as any limited company. It pays Corporation Tax on its chargeable income and gains at between 19% and 25% – depending on its profits. Companies with profits of £50,000 or less will pay tax at 19%. Companies with profits greater than £50,000 up to just under £250,000 will pay tax at a tapered rate between 19% and 25%, and companies with profits of £250,000 or above will pay the full 25% rate.
If a company’s accounting period is shorter than 12 months, these limits are proportionately reduced. Similarly, the limits are reduced proportionately by the number of “associated companies” under the “control” of a company or the same shareholders.
n Companies are “associated companies” if one company has control of the other, or both companies are under the control of the same person or persons.
n “Control” is defined to include control over the affairs of the company, or over voting power, or share capital or issued share capital, or over the income or assets of the company. If two or more persons together satisfy any of the above, they have control of the company. In determining whether any person has control, the rights and powers of certain other persons may be attributed to them. There are some exceptions – for example, an associated company that has not carried on any business during the accounting period is disregarded.
A close investment holding company is not entitled to claim the lower or marginal rate of Corporation Tax, so must pay the full 25%, irrespective of the level of its profits. The same applies to a non-UK resident company.
A close investment holding company in basic terms is a close company (controlled by five or fewer shareholders or directors) that does not exist wholly or mainly for trading, property letting or holding a trading company.
DISADVANTAGES OF FICs
When deciding whether to use a FIC, it is important to consider the potential disadvantages to the structure, which can include the following:
n Transferring assets into a FIC can be expensive and complicated. For example, a transfer of property will result in Stamp Duty Land Tax and Capital Gains Tax charges;
n The cost of setting up a FIC is generally higher than the cost of setting up a trust; and
n There is a potential for double taxation, as Corporation Tax will be payable on gains within the FIC, with Income Tax payable on dividend income from the FIC.
CONCLUSION
In summary, a family investment company offers a strategic way to manage wealth, ensure tax efficiency and preserve family assets for future generations.
To explore how a FIC can benefit your family’s financial future, please get in touch with Ingrid McCleave, Partner, Liz Gillingham, Senior Associate, Jennifer Charlton, Senior Associate DMH Stallard www.dmhstallard.com
A unique opportunity to lease the final remaining office suite on the site of the home of Sussex Cricket in Hove is available immediately. This established location is poised for further regeneration, promising an even more enriched environment for business operations
MODERN OFFICES AVAILABLE FOR LEASE 1st Central County Ground
Two of the brand new three-storey office suites have already been handed over, with the final space available to be leased at once.
LOCATION
Positioned in the heart of Hove, the new office accommodation is situated at the main entrance to The 1st Central County Ground.
Sussex County Cricket Club, formed in 1839, has played at the ground since 1872 and will continue to play host to the oldest county in English cricket. Alongside the summer fixtures, the club is a lively and well visited venue hosting several high-profile events throughout the year.
Hove has excellent transport links, with regular, direct train services to London Victoria (80 mins) and Gatwick (30 mins), as well as up to six trains per hour running to Worthing (16 mins), Portsmouth (60 mins) and Eastbourne (56 mins). The A27 and A23 are easily accessible by car and public transport links within the city are frequent and reliable.
FEATURES
n Excellent 3-storey new office / medical building (B1/D1 use)
n One of three floors available
n Located on a busy thoroughfare at the main entrance to the Sussex County Cricket Ground
n 3,443 sq ft (319m2)
n A total of 13 allocated on-site parking spaces (the Club reserves the right to reduce the parking spaces to four on match and event days)
n Contemporary, brand-new accommodation with a wide-aspect glass facade.
n Built to highly efficient, sustainable standards.
n A number of pay-and-display parking spaces available for customers within the vicinity of the site
n Part of the successful Phase One development comprises 37 residential apartments (all sold).
n Ground Floor public house/restaurant (pre-let) and a purpose-built 9,902 sq ft (920 m2) office building.
n Area to be further enhanced as part of a proposed master plan with purpose-built five-star conference facility and improved cricket facilities.
Joint agents Graves Jenkins and SHW have already completed two transactions on the site, with Act iii and Damira Dental taking up two of the three suites, located at the prestigious newly constructed Tate offi ces.
Phil Graves from Graves Jenkins commented: “it has been a success
story for the scheme from the start with 37 residential units virtually sold off-plan, the public house leased to Indigo on a pre-let, and now the offi ces. The innovative design by ECE Architects and the quality of the build by Roffey Homes has made the scheme a great success and a delight to advise on throughout the project.”
Pete Fitzboydon, Chief Executive at Sussex Cricket added: “We have been delighted with the success of this scheme, with massive demand for the residential, public house and most recently, offi ce spaces.
“This forms part of a wider modernisation of our historic Hove ground, to create a vibrant place to live, work and play all year around.
“We look forward to welcoming our final tenant over the coming months, to bring to a close a hugely successful phase of the development.”
If you are seeking high specifi cation modern offi ces in Hove, please call Graves Jenkins on 01273 701070 or view the information on the website www.gravesjenkins.com
COMPANY FORMATIONS EAST SUSSEX
NEW BUSINESSES IN EAST SUSSEX
Mapped
Platinum presents the latest in a series of company formation statistics covering the South East. We will be covering the whole region. One of the things to note is the rate of dissolved companies against the newly formed ones and, on each occasion, the ‘dissolved’ number is slightly less than the formed number – but not by much in most cases. This month, we look at company formations and dissolutions in East Sussex
7,311
THE LAST FIVE YEARS
How the total number of companies in East Sussex has changed over the last five years as new companies have been formed and some existing
TOTAL COMPANIES 2023 LEAGUE TABLE
The counties in England where most existing companies were based at the end of 2023 and how East Sussex compares to them
By Martin Powell, CEO, St Peter & St James Hospice, North Chailey
THE UNSEEN STRUGGLE OF UK HOSPICES A call to action for businesses
For over 40 years, St. Peter & St. James Hospice has been firmly embedded in our community, providing expert palliative care to more than 40,000 individuals (about twice the capacity of London's O2 arena) and their families.
Nestled in the picturesque Sussex countryside, our hospice is not only a place of exceptional care but also one of peace and tranquillity. Despite our reputation as a well-loved, wellrespected charity, we, like many hospices across the UK, face the stark reality of chronic underfunding and the rising cost of living.
THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF HOSPICES
Hospices like St. Peter & St. James play an indispensable role in our healthcare system, caring for over 300,000 people across the UK each year. We work alongside NHS colleagues to provide vital palliative care, easing the burden on hospitals and ensuring patients receive the symptom control, pain management, and support they need.
❛❛ It costs £6 million annually to operate our hospice, yet only 13% of this comes from central government via the NHS ❜❜
Without hospice services, many would face inadequate end-of-life care, leading to unnecessary hospital deaths (the place where people least want to die) and a lack of essential support for both patients and their families.
As Chief Executive of St. Peter & St. James Hospice in North Chailey, East Sussex, I have the privilege of witnessing the profound impact of our compassionate care. Each year, over a thousand patients receive personalised support from our dedicated teams. This care enables people to live well and die with dignity, according to what matters most to them.
THE IMPACT OF UNDERFUNDING
Despite the critical services we provide, the funding situation for hospices is dire. It costs £6 million annually to operate our hospice, yet only 13% of this comes from central government via the NHS. The remaining funds must be sourced through charitable donations and fundraising activities. Nationally, hospices are facing the worst financial crisis in 20 years, with a collective deficit exceeding £77 million. The closure or reduction of hospice services due to underfunding is an alarming trend that threatens the quality of end-of-life care for thousands.
A CALL TO ACTION FOR BUSINESSES
In this challenging landscape, the support of the business community is more crucial than ever. Local businesses can play a vital role in sustaining hospice services through partnerships, sponsorships, and other forms of support. Here are several ways businesses can contribute:
1. Corporate sponsorships
Sponsoring hospice events or specifi c services provides essential financial support while offering your business significant visibility and a strong community connection.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
2. Employee fundraising
Engaging employees in fundraising activities fosters team spirit and demonstrates a collective commitment to supporting local healthcare.
3. Direct donations and grants
Financial contributions or grants for specific projects can make an immediate and substantial impact.
4. Volunteering programmes
Employee volunteering provides valuable manpower and gives your team a sense of purpose and fulfilment.
To explore partnership and sponsorship opportunities, please visit our website at www.stpjhospice.org or contact our fundraising team directly. Your support is as vital as the care we deliver. Together, we can ensure that everyone in our community receives the compassionate care they deserve at a time when they need it most.
THE FUTURE
The challenges we face are signifi cant, but they are not insurmountable. We are working tirelessly alongside groups like Hospice UK to lobby for better government funding for palliative care services. However, the support of local businesses can provide an immediate lifeline. By partnering with St. Peter & St. James Hospice, your business not only supports a critical cause but also enhances its corporate social responsibility profile and community ties.
St Peter & St James Hospice
North Common Road
North Chailey, Lewes, BN8 4ED T: 01444 471 598
https://stpjhospice.org
The Property Professionals Lunch is a mainstay on the Brighton property scene, now ably run by Sophie Campbell-Adams of Britton & Time solicitors
AN AFTERNOON OF NETWORKING WITH
PROPERTY PROFESSIONALS LUNCH
With great weather for a change, the lunch started on the fabulous terrace at Hotel Du Vin before all guests were served a scrumptious three-course lunch.
Guest speakers were Kevin Carr from Brighton & Hove Financial Consultants; Bill Wallsgrove, AKA Brandad and our very own MD, Maarten Hoffmann, with a raffle in aid of Rockinghorse. Due to a slight technical mishap, Maarten had no intro video so announced that he would give his speech through the medium of interpretive dance. Thankfully, he did not!
But is was a great opportunity to announce the launch of the exciting brand new Platinum event for the region - the South East Property Awards that will take place in the summer of 2025, and to ask the audience their thoughts on the categories that should be include – a lively debate followed.
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.
Maarten Hoffmann of Platinum
Keith Carr of Brighton & Hove Financial Consultants
Katie Price and Sophie Campbell-Adams
Another drum roll please as we welcome Creed, the highend scent specialist, becoming The Pop-Up Hotel’s luxury fragrance partner in time for the festival season.
By James Turner, Head of Commercial, Creative Pod
CREED AND THE POP-UP HOTEL UNITE
Creative Pod, the full-service marketing agency, has revealed the exclusive partnership of Creed and The Pop-Up Hotel, promising a blend of luxury accommodations and powerhouse perfumes for festival-goers this summer. The collaboration aimed to redefine the festival experience by combining Creed's timeless scents with The Pop-Up Hotel's renowned hospitality and comfort.
"We are thrilled to have facilitated the collaboration between Creed and The Pop-Up Hotel, setting a new standard for luxury at festivals," said James Turner, Head of Commercial at Creative Pod/ ECHO.
"The goal is to enhance every guest's experience with the iconic scents, creating memorable moments that resonate long after the festival ends."
The Pop-Up Hotel, acclaimed for its innovative approach to temporary accommodations, will provide a haven of comfort and sophistication amid the festival chaos. From luxurious bedding to gourmet dining options, guests can unwind and immerse themselves in an oasis of relaxation, complemented by Creed's signature fragrances.
With the festival season well upon us, this collaboration between Creed and The Pop-Up Hotel promises an unforgettable fusion of luxury, comfort, and sensory delight.
This collaboration marks a seamless synergy between luxury fragrance and premium accommodation, brokered by Creative Pod's sister company, ECHO International. ECHO specialises in building meaningful, long-term partnerships with renowned brands worldwide, catering to discerning travellers seeking both indulgence and convenience amidst the excitement of a music festival.
Creed has a notable history dates back over 250 years, featuring seven generations who have shaped the fragrance house. With connections to royalty, Creed has a legacy rooted in fi ne craftsmanship and unparalleled quality. The brand's fragrances are celebrated for their timeless elegance, sophistication, and ability to evoke powerful emotions and memories. www.creedfragrances.co.uk
ABOUT ECHO
Part of The Creative Group, ECHO is a global specialist in corporate sponsorship, brand activation and corporate advertising. ECHO gives the brands it works with bespoke opportunities and maximum exposure by marrying up brands with leading fi gures, events and opportunities. The sales team has worked with some of the biggest brands, assets, and rights holders in the world, which has led them to build some meaningful partnerships in the UK and the USA.
The Pop-Up Hotel is one of the leading transient hotel providers in the UK and was established in 2010 by Founders Mark and Vicky Sorrill. The Pop-Up Hotel was born of Mark’s years of experience managing property developments in the Caribbean, along with the couple’s passion for design and the drive to develop an authentic and immersive stay for guests.
In 2011, they launched their first pop-up for Glastonbury guests and have since provided world-class experiential accommodation to ticket holders at festivals and events worldwide, as well as celebrity weddings, press launches and corporate retreats. The largest pop-up to date accommodated 8,000 guests.
The Pop-Up Hotel concept blends the thrill of glamping with all the comfort, service and facilities you’d expect from a luxury boutique hotel for a Glastonbury
If you are a brand looking to sponsor an event or if you’re hosting an event and want to fi nd the best sponsor for your audience, ECHO can help. Get in touch with James at james@creativepod.uk.com
Festival experience to remember. The Pop-Up Hotel’s Glastonbury luxe glamping experience includes creature comforts such as real beds, private showers and power to charge allimportant devices.
With a wide range of options, including Classic Room tents, Gypsy Caravans and Tenthouse Suites, which have multiple bedrooms and an ensuite, The Pop-Up Hotel’s facilities also include a bar and lounge area, restaurant, full-size swimming pool, dedicated car park and a Pop-Up Spa to cater for every whim. Nestled in a field just a short walk away from all the action; it’s a 10-minute flat walk away from Gate D, meaning guests can easily come and go as they please.
❛❛ The goal is to enhance every guest's experience with the iconic scents, creating memorable moments that resonate long after the festival ends❜❜
Wellbeing Rocks
Children’s Hospital
Wellbeing Service
Spending time in hospital or managing a long-term health condition is so difficult for children, and their families.
Rockinghorse Children’s Charity want to make this journey easier by creating a brand new Wellbeing Service based in the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital.
Meet Hannah and Bodhi
Bodhi is being treated for Leukaemia and he, and his mummy Hannah, have spent lots of time in hospital.
Having toys to play with and things to do while they are there really helps them manage the stress and worry, and just have fun, even for a short while. Find out more and donate
To find out more about how you can help support this amazing new service, scan the QR code or visit.
www.rockinghorse.org.uk
Cleankill Pest Control was invited to join a select group of companies that have achieved the Gold accreditation.
By Paul Bates, MD, Cleankill Pest Control
Cleankill recognised at Investors in People celebration
It was the first time since Cleankill originally achieved Investors in People in 2005 that the company had been invited to a Community Celebration Event
Cleankill Managing Director Paul Bates, who attended with fellow Director Jon Whitehead, explains, “The venue was superb in the Old Hall at Lincoln’s Inn. A number of companies were invited who had achieved the different standards from basic through to platinum.
“In between each presentation of the awards, there were talks from companies about how the Investors in People journey had focused them on specific areas of staff welfare, reward and other aspects of the management of people and how, when done properly, it affects the profit line in a very positive way. Jon and I particularly liked one speaker who talked about setting up ‘an emerging leadership’ forum where individuals can be spotted early and developed and trained for the future. It was very special to be recognised as Gold achievers.”
In January 2024, Cleankill was awarded the Gold Investors in People accreditation for the third time.
No other pest control company in England has retained the Gold accreditation three times and Cleankill joins an elite group of businesses in other sectors who have achieved the treble.
In 2018, Cleankill became the first pest control company in England to be certified ‘GOLD’ by Investors in People and, in 2021, following another intensive audit, retained the Gold status. The latest assessment confirmed that Cleankill had again attained the coveted Gold standard for the third time.
Paul Bates went on to say, “We have been told that we have improved greatly and are very close to Platinum status. This is an incredible achievement when we have gone from 46 to 61 staff in three years - a 32% increase in staff numbers.”
In 2023, Cleankill won the pest control industry’s ‘Company of the Year’ award beating several of the industry’s large national companies. It also won the British Pest Control Association’s ‘Most Sustainable Company’ award.
Investors in People is an organisation that assesses how businesses are performing against a standardised framework that encompasses employee engagement and communication, organisational culture and ways of working. Cleankill customers benefit from staff who are enthusiastic, very professional, always try to exceed
customer expectations, and are committed to their employer.
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.
Cleankill Investors in People celebration
THE TIPPING POINT
By Maarten Hoffmann
DISCLAIMER: All views stated here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this publication
The UK used to be the fourth largest economy in the world, now we are sixth and predicted to fall even further. Public services used to be the envy of the world and now are an embarrassment, and productivity is falling.
In my opinion – and a very unpopular one amongst employees – this is, in
large part, down to the work-from-home phenomenon; the sudden right for employees to state when they work and where they work - in short, letting the lunatics run the asylum.
This is madness. Since when did employees have the right to demand when and where they work? I hear you
screaming "Since the pandemic." OK, but that was four years ago; it's time to get back to work, time to get the UK working again, growing again, and becoming an economic powerhouse. That does not happen with everyone taking their foot off the gas - it takes bloody hard work from everyone. Then l hear constant lines such as “We are just as profitable”,
❛❛ A survey of more than 2,000 hybrid workers found that 91% of Gen Z (aged 18-24) admit to watching TV during the day. Which likely means 100% are doing it ❜❜
“it makes no difference”, and “We can do the same amount at home as we used to in the office.”
Well, let’s have a look at research on the subject. A recent survey of more than 2,000 hybrid workers found that 91% of Gen Z (aged 18-24) admit to watching TV during the day, which likely means 100% are doing it. They admit to watching an average of two hours and 52 minutes each day. That’s each day their boss thinks they are working and is paying them to work! Male staff watch more than women, with men watching 19 more minutes per working day.
On terrestrial TV, the most popular show is This Morning from 10am12.30pm with 25% admitting to watching, followed by Come Dine With Me with 15% watching and Tipping Point watched by 14%.
Streaming services have seen a jump in Monday to Friday daytime watching in the UK, with a huge leap in Netflix and Prime viewers between 11am and 4.30pm, while Amazon online orders have leapt by over 29% between 9.30am and 5.30pm since the pandemic.
❛❛ The pandemic is over – get over it. ❜❜
Childcare nurseries state that more parents are using their services for fewer days per week. l guess this is because the parent is home and doesn’t want to spend money on childcare, forgetting they are NOT home, they are supposed to be working. I have four kids and l can assure you, it is impossible to work properly with kids running around the house.
The Land Registry has finally had enough and is trying to force workers back into the office after major complaints from homeowners and developers complaining of ‘ridiculous’ delays of up to two years for registrations to complete. Obviously, this proves that with their staff working from home, they are not working at the same pace they did in the office for all the reasons stated.
Recent Forbes research showed that many other non-work related chores are performed during the working dayhousehold chores 72%, errands 37%, napping 22%, and 13% of people admit to only actually working three to four
hours a day when supposedly working from home.
The same study shows that remote employees are 10% - 20% less productive than their office-based colleagues. Of course, l see the huge attraction of working from home, and understand why it is so favoured but if you pay the salary, you should have the right to dictate how and where they work.
I hear comments such as “Working in the office doesn’t suit my personality”, “It doesn’t suit my lifestyle” or “It’s not good for my mental health.”
Working from the office might not be popular but then making the company bankrupt, losing your job altogether, crippling the economy, screwing the shareholders and lessening the government tax income might not be popular either and unless company leaders show some courage, we are all heading down the road to becoming a third-world country.
The pandemic is over - get over it.
DE VERE HORSLEY ESTATE
For your next MICE event
By Tess de Klerk
Horsley Estate is unique inasmuch as it has two distinct areas – Horsley Towers is the mansion house designed in 1820 by Sir Charles Barry, and Horsley Place hotel, with wings built in the 1970s and 1990s respectively.
Set in 75 acres of gorgeous Surrey parkland are the hotel and Towers, only a short stroll from one another but serving differing needs, with the Towers being a lovely venue for weddings or other private events. The Towers can also accommodate a need for security, with only one entrance, and isolated from the rest of the property, if need be.
Within the separate, purpose-built Horsley Place hotel lies 147 guest rooms, a restaurant, a bar and 51 flexible event spaces which are ideal conference, meetings and training facilities that can comfortably host up to 200 people.
The two wings known as The Horsley Suite and The Hub were designed around nine main conference spaces with 24 adjacent breakout rooms with the latter being a newly-refurbished ‘smart space’ of a suite of meeting rooms for six to 100 people, as well as a dedicated lounge, a coffee and refreshments station and the latest IT audio-visual facilities. Lots of natural light flooding through creates an inviting space ideal for brainstorming and networking.
The Horsley Suite is large, offering flexibility and space to host up to 200 with easy access to the hotel’s bar and restaurant where delegates can re-energise over lunch.
DINING
Meals are mainly served buffet-style with a good selection on offer. Pizzas are also popular, prepared in the open kitchen and cooked in authentic pizza ovens.
TEAM BUILDING
With such sprawling grounds, the estate is ideal for a whole manner of teambuilding events and days. Hotel staff are happy to assist with small scale plans such as setting up croquet on the lawns. For more ambitious exploits, you can choose to be put in touch with event planners. There is plenty of space to erect marquees, plan sports days or even book a survival experience in the Bear Grylls pit to really push the team building, all while looking forward to a cosy night's sleep at the end of it.
❛❛ Lots of natural light flooding through creates an inviting space ideal for brainstorming and networking ❜❜
GOOD TO KNOW
How to get there: Horsley Estate is located within ten minutes’ drive from the J10 off the M25 and six minutes from Guildford and Dorking which both have direct train routes from Waterloo. There is plenty of free parking on the property.
ACCESSIBILITY: Accessible rooms are available in most room categories. Disabled facilities are available but it is important to get in touch with the hotel for specific arrangements.
SPA: No, but there is an indoor heated pool as well as a gym
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: Yes, family rooms with sofa beds or rollaway beds are available. Cots are available on request
PET-FRIENDLY: Pets are allowed in all public areas of the hotel and pet-friendly rooms are available for a fee of £30.
£££: De Vere Horsley Estate offers a variety of packages and offers. It is best to call the reservations team directly on 01483 917075 to discuss your needs.
❛❛ Rooms at Horsley Place hotel proper are comfortable, clean and fit for purpose ❜❜
ACCOMMODATIONS
Rooms at Horsley Place hotel proper are comfortable, clean and fit for purpose. It is rated as a 3-star hotel, and the bedrooms are very good for the rating. If you want the best available, opt for a suite with a lovely little deck overlooking a tranquil koi pond. It is important to distinguish between the accommoda -
tion at the hotel and the rooms in The Towers, referred to as the Mansion House on the website when booking.
These rooms are more spacious and luxurious. The Towers often host weddings with these rooms used by the immediate wedding parties, but they can be booked when available.
www.devere.co.uk/horsley-estate
This month, Platinum welcomes a guest Editor, Adam Bateup, Director of Sussex Floor Restoration Ltd. At the recent Focus Foundation Gala event, we offered a charity raffle prize of becoming a ‘Motoring Editor for the Day’ and, after frantic bidding, Adam won. Maarten sent him the BMW X6 for the week and here’s his review
BMW X6 40i
May I start by saying that I have driven a huge number of different SUVs – from a plethora of Land Rovers to X-trails, Sorentos, Shoguns, Jeeps and many more? But, until now, not a BMW.
And as I sit here writing this in my air-conditioned office with my fancy office chair including all kinds of settings and support functions, it reminds me of the BMW X6 40i.
This is a car you could happily travel for eight hours a day in with accessories like wireless Apple car play, seat climate control and automatic cabin climate control, not to mention the massage seats, which are customisable, and are much better than the ones you used to find in shopping centres.
There are many other functions like driver-assist, which I found out also reminds you to keep your hands on the wheel! This is along with the huge screen and heads-up display which inform and remind you of speed limits and other traffic conditions. It even tells you when the traffic lights change so you have no need to look up anymore.
The styling is twofold. From one angle, it is sleek and demure while also feeling angular and modern. From the front, less so. I’m not sure what the fascination is with big grilles but on the X6 it looks akin to a big, gurning idiot.
Inside is, again, a mixed bag. The seats are sumptuous, as is the door lining and steering wheel, but the dash feels cheap and plasticky, and the fan direction control knobs seem rather a bad afterthought.
❛❛ The turning circle on this is roughly 4.6 nautical miles due to the 27-inch wheels ❜❜
P L ATINUM
TECH STUFF
MODEL TESTED:
BMW X6 40i
POWER: 381 bhp
SPEED: 0-62 5.4s
TOP: 155 mph
EXON: 31.7 mpg combined
PRICE FROM: £78,750
❛❛ Couple that with limited space inside and I get the feeling I’m in some kind of reverse Tardis where it’s bigger on the outside and smaller on the inside ❜❜
Practically, this car is limited somewhat. From the outside – and to drive it – it feels massive. I have driven everything from micro cars up to small lorries, yet this feels like the biggest thing I have driven. Couple that with limited space inside and I get the feeling I’m in some kind of reverse Tardis where it’s bigger on the outside and smaller on the inside.
This being said, there are a few things I love. The rear middle seat folds down independently allowing things like fishing rods or skis to fit easily. There are integrated blinds for the rear windows, lots of storage spaces for knick-knacks, and the entertainment system is easy to use while on the go.
Driveability is very good, as you would expect from a BMW. The X6 gets off the
line well and has an impressive turn of speed for something so heavy. It handles well in the corners, and you don’t get as much roll as you might with the likes of the bigger SUVs.
One thing that does bug me is the anti-collision system which is constantly going off and braking for you around tight corners and narrow streets with
parked cars. The parking aides, like the top view camera, are very welcome as visibility is limited somewhat.
And if you live somewhere tight and twisty, be aware the turning circle on t his is roughly 4.6 nautical miles due to the 27-inch wheels.
In conclusion, this car has a slight whiff of style-over-function. That being said, it’s hard to be reminded of this while driving through country lanes or slipping up the motorway in comfort.
It’s a very good car. I’m just not sure that it is an SUV.
P L ATINUM
Narcissism in the workplace
Are prenups a force for good?
DINING
Andalucia
Tapas Bar
SPOTLIGHT
Dr Shakardokht Jafari
Monica Fletcher OBE TRAVEL
The fi ve lands of Liguria
Rachel Reeves
The UK’s first female Chancellor of the Exchequer
18
BIG STORY
The first female Chancellor
After 700 years, the UK finally has its first female Chancellor of the Exchequer. Dynamic looks at the rise to government of The Right Honourable Rachel Reeves
FEATURE
Narcissism in the workforce
Katie McKenna and Helen Villiers discuss the toxicity of narcissism, featuring traits which take many forms – perpetrated by males and females alike – and so often destructive in their nature and intent
If you’re clear on what you believe, you have a great foundation to go make a market
Ginni Rommetty, former CEO of IBM
WELLBEING
Discussing mental health in the workplace
New research reveals that millennials are least likely to disclose mental health issues to work colleagues. What can be done to alleviate this?
REGULARS
News
6 Upfront: The top international news stories involving women in business
16 In the Right Direction: Good news stories from around the world
Spotlight
22 Dr Shakardokht Jafari
Dr Jafari started work in Afghanistan, before becoming a pioneering medical physicist and entrepreneur
23 Monica Fletcher OBE
A respitory specialist who sits on many health advisory boards, and who will now be writing for Dynamic
Wellbeing
28 Sneezes & wheezes
Hay fever affects up to 30% of children. Monica Fletcher OBE tells us how to alleviate the worst of the symptoms
Further Reading
30 Sara Daw is the author of Strategy and Leadership as Service – How the Access Economy Meets the C-Suite Art Scene
32 Kellie Miller discusses the work of artist, Ann Petrucevitch
Fine Dining
38 Fine Spanish dining in Ferring’s Andalucia Tapas Bar
What’s On
40 A brief snapshot of art and culture cross Sussex and Surrey
FEATURE
14 The empathy advantage
Women leaders have a unique position to guide the ethical implementation of AI in business, writes Nell Watson
❛
❛
Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement
Golda Meir
TRAVEL
34 Cinque Terre
Tess de Klerk explores the ‘Cinque Terre’ – the five lands of Liguria on Italy’s north west coast
HEAD OF DESIGN: Michelle Shakesby design@platinummediagroup.co.uk
SUB EDITOR: Alan Wares alan@platinummediagroup.co.uk
WWW.PLATINUMMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK
EDITOR’S NOTE
Welcome to the August edition of Dynamic
After the momentous parliamentary elections, a deep-dive into our fi rst female Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, is the compelling choice for our cover and Big Story. We also bring you a snapshot of the women in cabinet – leading to the UK’s most diverse parliament yet.
Our features this month range from touching on ethical AI to looking at narcissism in the workplace, to statistics around prenups. We also take a look at differing attitudes across generations towards discussing mental health at work.
We’re delighted to introduce Monica Fletcher OBE, who is contributing to our Wellbeing section, as well as Dr Shakardokht Jafari; both of whom feature in Spotlight. These women have had remarkable journeys that inspire deeply.
Travel brings you quintessential Italy in the form of Cinque Terre with tips on how to get the most out of your visit while Wine & Dine reveals an Andalucian treasure hidden in Ferring.
There is more still and we hope that you enjoy every bit of Dynamic this month.
Editor, Dynamic Magazine
ROUTE TO THE TOP PROVING HARDER FOR WOMEN
More women are working their way into corporate boardrooms, but new research shows the route to executive leadership roles has turned out harder to navigate. “The thinking was, if you got more women on boards, you would see the trickle-down and get more women into executive positions. That didn’t happen,” says Tamara Box, a structured finance lawyer and a founding member of the 30% Club, a campaign to boost the number of women in board seats and executive leadership positions.
While two-thirds of the UK’s FTSE 350 companies have hit a widely adopted target of 40% female representation on boards, less than a fifth have achieved that for executive leadership roles, according to the government-backed annual FTSE Women Leaders Review.
UPFRONT
THE LATEST BULLETINS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
“PROTECTIONISM IS ERODING GLOBAL BUSINESS”
Global trade “is not having the best of times at the moment”: the admission of the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. “We are seeing increasing protectionism, some undermining of the WTO rules, and some of this is leading to fragmentation. Global trade is really part of the lifeblood for making countries resilient - and also for underpinning growth.” Recently, these fragmentations have come to the fore with the EU imposing provisional tariffs of up to 37.4% on imports of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). It followed after the US in May introduced 100% tariffs on Chinese EVs. Both Brussels and Washington accuse the Chinese government of unfairly subsidising its EV sector, allowing producers to export cars at unfairly low prices, and threatening jobs in the West.
CRITICISM OF FINANCE SECTOR’S ‘SEXISM’
Kate Prince, Dynamic Awards Finalist, and the founder of wellness brand, Uckfield-based Ancient + Brave, has criticised the UK finance sector for its sexism and the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs.
The company was founded by Prince in 2018, and sells collagen and dietary supplements. It was ranked fifth on the Sunday Times 100 list of fastest-growing firms in 2022.However, Ms Prince has experienced firsthand the obstacles female founders face when trying to secure financing. She believes a fundamental “cultural shift” is necessary to enhance funding for female-led ventures and stimulate more women to launch their own enterprises. She stated: “Schools aren’t talking about funding for female entrepreneurs. We need a cultural shift and hopefully the new government may be interested in helping with this.”
❛❛ A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do. A woman must do what he can’t
Rhonda Hansome
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I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass
Maya Angelou
FEMALE SCHOLARS UNDERVALUED AT UNIVERSITIES
It takes women almost 15 years longer than men to progress to full professorships at top UK universities on average, according to a new study.
Women are undervalued, “so it’s the age-old story really. Women have to prove themselves twice to show that they are as good as men,” lead author Richard Harris, professor of economics at Durham University told Times Higher Education.
The paper, co-authored with Mari Luz Mate Sánchez Val and Manuel Ruiz Marín, both of the Technical University of Cartagena in Spain, highlights that institutional equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategies often incorrectly focus on changing women rather than addressing structural issues.
NATWEST ON TRACK TO BEAT FEMALE INVESTMENT TARGETS
RISE IN WOMEN IN TECH
Since 2017, women have opened businesses at nearly twice the rate of men, and represent 39.1% of small business owners, according to the 2024 Wells Fargo Impact of Women-Owned Business Report. As part of this, female entrepreneurs are moving into more tech-related industries, by harnessing the power of technology and using more imaginative solution processes. The tech industry has seen growth in female leaders, with experts estimating that women represent 33% of the tech workforce, according to research from Deloitte.
Women are also making significant strides in the broader tech industry, developing innovative products and services that enhance various aspects of daily life. By focusing on usercentred design, they are creating solutions that improve quality of life and drive economic growth, says the report.
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❛Amazing things happen when women help other women
Kasia Gospoś
In the face of women struggling to secure business funding, NatWest Group has announced that it has lent over £1.5bn to female-led businesses since 2021, and is on track to exceed its target to lend £2bn by the end of 2025.
This is quicker than expected, and shows the appetite of successful, women-owned businesses to scale. Regionally, women in the North of England have performed strongly in securing funding, as have those in London and the South East.
In 2023, the bank also launched a €500 million issuance for a women’s bond. This has led to over 14,500 loans to women-led businesses being made across the UK. It has proved particularly popular with investors, being 2.5 times oversubscribed when launched.
The UK’s first female Chancellor RACHEL REEVES
The UK has rejected a largely chaotic administration whose problems – given Partygate, the subsequent Covid Inquiry and, at the time of writing, its lessons-not-learned internal squabbling –may not be over yet, even after leaving office. In the aftermath of what was ultimately an expected Labour landslide, many people are asking, ‘What next?’
For its part, Labour, during the Election campaign, was fairly vague about its financial commitments and setting policy, preferring to scour the books before making promises it may well have struggled to have kept.
The financial part of the answer will need to be provided by Rachel Reeves – the first female Chancellor of the Exchequer since the role’s creation in 1316.
Dynamic looks at the rise of Rachel Reeves…
In the aftermath of the ‘banking crash’ of 2008. Rachel was quoted at the time as saying Moving from banking, I am one of the few people entering politics to be going to a more popular profession
Rachel Jane Reeves was born on February 13th 1979 in Lewisham, southeast London. She comes from a public service background; her father was a teacher and her mother worked as a social worker.
Rachel attended Cator Park School for Girls in Bromley (a comprehensive which became Harris Girls’ Academy, Bromley, in 2011). While at secondary school she won a British Under-14 girls chess championship title in a tournament organised by the now-defunct British Women’s Chess Association.
After sitting A-levels in politics, economics, mathematics and further mathematics, she read philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford, where she achieved a 2:1. She then obtained a Master of Science degree in economics from the London School of Economics.
Reeves’s first job after leaving university was with the Bank of England. She moved to Leeds in 2006 to work as an analyst for the retail arm of HBOS.
Reeves cites the influence of her father on her and her sister Ellie Reeves MP’s socially democratic politics. When she was eight, her father, Graham, pointed out the then Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock on television and “told us that was who we voted for.” Reeves says she and her sister have “both known we were Labour since then”. She joined the Labour Party at the age of 16.
Her first venture into national politics was when she stood as the Labour Party parliamentary candidate in the Conservative safe seat of Bromley and Chislehurst at the 2005 General Election, where she finished second behind the sitting MP Eric Forth. While a long way from her residential home in Leeds, it was on the doorstep of her family home.
Following Forth’s death in 2006, she contested the subsequent by-election and crashed into fourth place. Labour’s support fell from 10,241 votes to a humiliating 1,925. The result was the worst performance for a governing party since 1991.
At the 2010 General Election, Rachel stood as a Labour candidate for Leeds West. She won at the first attempt and has comfortably held that seat ever since, albeit as a result of the 2023 boundary changes, she now represents Leeds West and Pudsey.
Her first victory was in the aftermath of the ‘banking crash’ of 2008. Rachel was quoted at the time as saying, “Moving from banking, I am one of the few people entering politics to be going to a more popular profession.”
The Chancellor visits the Darlington Economic Campus
PHOTO: KIRSTY O’CONNOR
PHOTO: LABOUR
FLICKR
WESTMINSTER
Until the 2024 General Election, Rachel has spent her entire Westminster career on the opposition benches. Her rise through the party ranks has been rapid and consistent. She was appointed to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee, then as Shadow Pensions Minister in October 2010. She was promoted to the post of Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury in October 2011.
Appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Work & Pensions in 2013, Rachel proposed that anyone unemployed for two years, or one year if under 25 years old, would be required to take a guaranteed job or lose access to benefits, in flat contradiction to Labour policy, and very much in line with Conservative policy.
She doubled down on this stating that Labour would be “tougher” than the Conservative Party in cutting the benefits bill. She caused further controversy in early 2015 by stating, “We [Labour] don’t want to be seen as, and we’re not, the party to represent those who are out of work”.
When Sir Keir Starmer became Labour leader in 2020, Rachel was appointed as Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, with responsibility for Labour’s response to Brexit and shadowing Michael Gove.
She was appointed Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer in a shadow cabinet reshuffle in May 2021, replacing Anneliese Dodds.
+ THE CHANCELLOR A BRIEF HISTORY
The Chancellor is the third-oldest major state office in English and British history. In more modern times, it has become the most powerful office in British politics after the Prime Minister. Additionally, it carries the historical title, ‘Second Lord of the Treasury’.
Its original function was to carry responsibility for the Exchequer, the medieval English institution for the collection and auditing of royal revenues. The earliest surviving records which are the results of the exchequer’s audit, date from 1129 to 1130 under King Henry I.
The official residence of the Chancellor is 11 Downing Street, a Georgian-era converted mansion, which overlooks St James’s Park and Horse Guards Parade. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, and built by Sir George Downing in 1682. The first Chancellor to live there was Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice in 1806, though No.11 did not become the Chancellor’s official residence until 1828.
The property has seen many internal alterations in its near 350-year lifetime, including an inter-connecting door between No.11 and No.10 Downing Street. With the rear of No.10 also connected at its rear to the Cabinet Office on Whitehall, it forms a larger labyrinth in the affairs of state.
The Chancellor has oversight of fiscal policy, therefore of taxation and public spending across government departments. Until as recently as 1997, it also previously controlled monetary policy. This was removed when the then-Chancellor Gordon Brown’s first intervention in his new role was to grant the Bank of England independent control of interest rates, thereby excising the hitherto political aspect of this part of fiscal policy.
She obtained a Master of Science degree in economics from the London School of Economics.
Her first job after leaving university was with the Bank of England
PHOTO:
THE NEW CHANCELLOR
Without offering specific plans or targets for the economy, what the UK can expect from Rachel Reeves as Chancellor of the Exchequer can mostly be gleaned from her speeches and interviews she undertook while shadow Chancellor.
In December 2021, Rachel said she would support a 2p cut to the Income Tax basic rate if the Conservatives proposed that. She opposed the planned 1.2% rise in National Insurance rates. She said Labour planned to replace business rates with a new system that charged shops fairly compared to larger online businesses.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Rachel said a Labour government under Keir Starmer would be pro-business and committed to fiscal discipline
In an interview with the Financial Times, Rachel said a Labour government under Keir Starmer would be “pro-business and committed to fiscal discipline.”
She pointed out that Britain had seen a Japanese-style ‘Lost Decades’ of growth, which she believed a Labour government would reverse through following fiscal rules and eliminating borrowing for day-to-day spending, with no unfunded election spending commitments. This, she said, would enable government capital spending, above the current 3% of GDP per year limit, to promote growth. Labour would be both “pro-worker and pro-business.”
Ironically for a Labour administration, this sounds more like One Nation Conservatism, and much closer to the fiscal policies of the likes of John Major than those of Kwasi Kwarteng, Rishi Sunak and Nadim Zahawi.
While these policy statements come to the dismay of many – if not most – Labour Party members, Rachel herself has pointed out that the UK has been left in such an economic mess that it will take at least one Parliament to right the ship, and that the economy can’t afford for it to be ideologically radical, even if she was minded to be. What UK commerce is looking for, at the very least, is some notion of stability and clarity in the new government’s economic policies.
She has inherited a UK economy which has, in the past few years, experienced the ongoing after-effects of Brexit (something she intends to mitigate rather than reverse), the global thump of the Covid pandemic, a war in Ukraine which has affected European economies, especially in the supply of energy, with countries recovering with varying degrees of success - and failure.
Plus, there was the economic wrecking ball of a Prime Minister whose tenure was famously outlasted by an iceberg lettuce. Despite these national and international drawbacks, the economy - or at least the perception of it - has been one of money flow only heading one way, and of poor figures for growth.
The old, ongoing in-joke – dating back to the early 1960s – of the outgoing Treasury administration leaving a note for the incoming administration that, “there’s no money left” must never have felt so sore.
RECORD WOMEN IN THE CABINET
Of the 25 UK Cabinet posts, 11 are taken by women, the highest number ever, including two of the four ‘Great Offices of State’ (Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary).
As well as the Chancellor, here is the roll call of women in Cabinet…
COOPER Home Secretary ANGELA
Deputy Prime Minister / Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Secretary of State for Justice / Lord Chancellor (only the second woman to hold the latter role)
PHILLIPSON Education Secretary / Minister for Women and Equalities
YVETTE
RAYNER
SHABANA MAHMOOD
BRIDGET
LISA NANDY Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
LIZ KENDALL Works and Pensions Secretary
IN OFFICE
The Charter for Budget Responsibility, overseen by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) requires the Chancellor, under normal circumstances, to give the OBR at least ten weeks’ notice of a fiscal event and formally commission a forecast. It is up to the Chancellor to decide on the date.
Despite Liberal Democrats’ calls for an ‘Emergency Budget’ on the subject of health care, it’s highly improbable that she will deliver a financial statement until September, at the earliest; and more likely to be October, after the party conference season has finished.
One fight she will have coming up on the horizon – as has been highlighted in this magazine – is the removal of the VAT exemption on private schools’ fees. Given the timing of her first Budget – together with the issues of poor administration of SEN children, as highlighted in the recent article in Dynamic Magazine – it’s unlikely this will be brought into effect before September 2025.
It will be a first test of her resolve to mitigate the potential political and social damage, especially with Bridget Phillipson, the new Education Secretary, who will need to ascertain how this policy will also affect state schools. That said, given the huge majority Labour has, the policy will almost certainly go through.
Despite elements of the press fearmongering a return to strikes and excessive workers’ rights – something she is steadfastly against - this is by no means a ‘hard-left’ Chancellor, who is not operating in a ‘hard-left’ administration. If nothing else, the electorate would not have allowed that kind of politics such a thumping majority, irrespective of what kind of chaos it was replacing.
However, as the balance of Rachel’s fiscal policies become clearer in the coming weeks, months and years, Platinum and Dynamic, through their excellent thought-leadership contributors, will continue to offer expert opinion and advice to the new administration’s policies as and when they take effect.
+ FEMALE SHADOW CABINET MINISTERS
Outgoing Conservative leader Rishi Sunak has announced his shadow Cabinet. This will be in place until such time as any new leader names his or her own team.
There are seven female members of the shadow Cabinet:
• Victoria Atkins
Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
• Kemi Badenoch
Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
• Claire Coutinho
Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
• Helen Whateley
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
• Julia Lopez
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
• Laura Trott
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury
• Mims Davies
Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities
LOUISE HAIGH Transport Secretary
JO STEVENS Secretary of State for Wales
LUCY POWELL Leader of the Commons
BARONESS SMITH OF BASILDON Leader of the Lords
PHOTO: KIRSTY O’CONNOR / TREASURY
By Nell Watson
THE EMPATHY ADVANTAGE: Women leaders for ethical AI
Artificial intelligence is a very rapidly evolving landscape, especially given the imminent emergence of agentic AI models, able to undertake missions and act like a concierge. This arms-length independence offers new capabilities, but also creates much greater risks, as models may misinterpret instructions, or even act in deceptive ways. The greatest question in AI is not ‘can we implement a solution using it?’ but rather ‘do we dare to at all?’
Women leaders have a unique position to guide the ethical implementation of AI in business. As AI becomes increasingly prevalent in our workplaces and daily lives, the need for empathetic, responsible leadership has never been more critical. Women, often recognised for our emotional intelligence and collaborative approach, can leverage these strengths to ensure AI serves humanity’s best interests.
AI is transforming businesses across industries, offering unprecedented efficiency and innovation. From predictive analytics to autonomous decision-making systems, AI promises to revolutionise how we work. However, this technological leap brings significant ethical challenges.
Human-centered design should be prioritised, focusing on AI development that augments and empowers workers rather than replacing them
Biased algorithms, privacy concerns, and the potential for job displacement are just a few of the issues leaders must navigate. The most pressing question in AI implementation is not whether we can deploy these technologies, but whether we should, and how to do so responsibly.
Women leaders bring a unique perspective to this challenge. Traditionally valued traits like empathy, emotional intelligence, and a holistic approach to problem-solving are proving invaluable in the AI era. These qualities enable women to anticipate and mitigate unintended consequences by considering the human impact of AI systems, identifying potential issues before they become problematic. They can foster inclusive AI development, championing diversity in tech to ensure AI reflects a broader range of perspectives. Empathetic leaders are more likely to place ethics at the forefront of AI development and deployment, rather than treating it as an afterthought. Understanding both human needs and technological capabilities allows women leaders to create environments where humans and AI complement each other effectively.
The path to ethical AI is an ongoing journey, requiring vigilance, proactivity, and a steadfast commitment to human values
To harness the power of AI responsibly, leaders should focus on several key areas. Advocating for transparency and explainability in AI systems is crucial. Documenting AI systems’ lineage and limitations builds trust and enables accountability. Bias mitigation is another critical focus, involving rigorous testing to identify and address biases in AI systems. This includes examining training data, model design, and outputs for potential discriminatory impacts.
Privacy and data protection are paramount. Implementing robust data governance practices, including data minimisation and clear consent mechanisms, is essential as AI systems often rely on vast amounts of personal data. Human-centered design should be prioritised, focusing on AI development that augments and empowers workers rather than replacing them. Engaging employees in codesign workshops can help align AI tools with worker needs and values. Continuous learning and adaptation are also vital, staying informed about evolving AI technologies and ethical guidelines and fostering a culture of ongoing education and ethical awareness within the organisation. Implementing ethical AI isn’t without its challenges. Women leaders may face skepticism or resistance, particularly in male-dominated tech environments. To overcome these obstacles, building alliances with like-minded colleagues who share a commitment to ethical AI is crucial. Leveraging unique perspectives, using empathy and emotional intelligence as strengths, can demonstrate how these qualities contribute to more effective and responsible AI implementation.
Staying informed through continuous education about AI technologies and ethical frameworks empowers leaders
to shape AI policy and practice. Engaging in broader discussions by participating in industry forums, policy discussions, and public discourse on AI ethics allows women leaders to contribute our valuable insights in shaping the future of AI governance.
In the age of AI, business success will be defined not just by profits, but by the integrity and trustworthiness of the technologies deployed. By prioritising ethics alongside innovation, leaders can position our organisations for long-term success while contributing to a more equitable and human-centered AI future.
The path to ethical AI is an ongoing journey, requiring vigilance, proactivity, and a steadfast commitment to human values. As women continue to break barriers in tech and leadership roles, our influence on the development and deployment of AI will be transformative. The future of ethical AI is not just about sophisticated algorithms and powerful machines; it’s about the human touch that guides our development and application.
Women leaders, with our unique blend of skills and perspectives, are well-positioned to step into leadership roles in this journey. The skills which evolution bequeathed us, to raise brilliant, well-rounded children, will be the skills which protect ourselves and others from rogue AI.
Women hold the future in our hands, and with it the destiny of all humanity.
Nell Watson is an AI expert, ethicist and author of Taming the Machine: Ethically harness the power of AI published by Kogan Page
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We need to get women to the point where they aren’t apologising. It’s time to take ownership in our success
Tori Burch, designer
UK’S MOST DIVERSE PARLIAMENT YET
The recently-held UK General Election has resulted in its most diverse parliament ever. Statistics reveal that women now comprise 40.5% of the House of Commons, up from 35% in the previous parliament. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s new cabinet is also the most gender-balanced, with women occupying 12 out of 26 positions (See Big Story – page 8)
Additionally, the British Future think tank reported a historic high of 90 minority ethnic MPs, an increase of 24. According to Pink News, an LGBTQ+ media outlet, Labour’s 50 openly LGBTQ+ MPs constitute the largest party group of its kind in any parliament globally.
IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
BAN ON ARCTIC’S ‘DIRTY FUEL’ TAKES EFFECT
This week, a milestone ban on the dirtiest ship fuel took effect in the Arctic, marking significant progress. Heavyfuel oil (HFO) has been banned in Antarctica since 2011, and now similar protections extend to the Arctic. However, Arctic-bordering nations can exempt their ships until 2029, prompting Dr. Sian Prior of the Clean Arctic Alliance to criticise the ban as “far weaker than required” and call for stricter enforcement.
45% OF DEMENTIA CASES WORLDWIDE COULD BE PREVENTED OR DELAYED ❛
SALMON RETURN TO CENTRAL ENGLAND
The removal of a Derbyshire dam has allowed salmon to swim up the River Derwent for the first time in 100 years. Once driven out by industrial activity, their return is visible as they breed. Dr. Tim Jacklin noted their local celebrity status, with residents spotting salmon in the river. The removal of obstacles like the Snake Lane weir, opened ten kilometres of spawning habitat. This success is part of a broader conservation trend in Europe and North America.
According to a report published by the Lancet, 27 of the world’s leading dementia experts concluded that far more cases of dementia could be avoided or delayed than previously thought by addressing 14 modifiable risks, throughout life.
The risk factors are lower levels of education, hearing impairment, high blood pressure, ‘bad’ cholesterol, smoking, obesity, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption; traumatic brain injury, air pollution, social isolation and untreated vision loss.
My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, former Supreme Court Justice
15,400 TONS OF PLASTIC REMOVED FROM THE OCEANS
The influential YouTuber, MrBeast, has led other leading influencers to drive donations for an ocean cleanup. Through the TeamSeas initiative, launched with Mark Rober in partnership with Ocean Conservancy and the Ocean Cleanup, 15,400 tons of waste were removed from oceans and rivers globally. In January 2022, MrBeast announced it had raised US$30 million, initiating a massive cleanup project. The funds were used to hire organisers, train volunteers, and equip them with supplies, specialists, boats, and robots. On July 16th, the project announced 170,000 volunteers had participated.
GAMBIAN POLITICIANS UPHOLD FGM BAN
Politicians in The Gambia have reaffirmed the country’s ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), thwarting an effort by hardliners to repeal it. The ban, implemented in 2015, faced resistance from some Muslim clerics. UNICEF reports that The Gambia has the ninth-highest FGM rate globally (Somalia is No.1). Binta Ceesay, women’s rights manager at ActionAid Gambia, expressed her relief. “While we regret the attempts to overturn the ban, we are pleased to see politicians uphold their commitment to end FGM. Despite significant progress since the ban nearly a decade ago, more efforts are needed. We urge politicians to intensify their efforts to eradicate this violence against women and girls permanently.”
SELF-SAMPLING: HOME CERVICAL SCREENING TESTS
Home testing kits for cervical cancer have been deemed a “game-changer” after a UK trial. Nearly 30,000 women who were overdue for screening received DIY tests for human papillomavirus (HPV), a cause of cervical cancer. King’s College London led the pilot, suggesting that nationwide distribution could involve over a million at-risk women in cervical screening over three years. Lead investigator Dr. Anita Lim stated, “Self-sampling has proven to be a game-changer for cervical screening in the UK. With declining participation rates, it’s vital to make screening more accessible with innovations like self-sampling to prevent this highly avoidable cancer.” This method is already used in the Netherlands, Australia, Denmark, and Sweden.
CHINA’S ACCELERATED PUSH FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY
Western politicians have defended their fossil fuel projects by citing China’s reliance on coal. However, a Global Energy Monitor report reveals that nearly two-thirds of major wind and solar projects under construction are in China. This expansion in renewables is reducing coal’s dominance. The report highlights China’s role in achieving the global goal to triple green energy capacity by 2030 and suggests its emissions may have peaked.
ICELAND SWEARS IN FEMALE PRESIDENT
Finance entrepreneur Halla Tómasdóttir is Iceland’s second female head of state since 1944. Formerly chief executive of non-profit The B Team, she also led Iceland’s Chamber of Commerce and co-founded the now defunct Auður Capital. Her campaign focussed on AI, tourism, and social media’s mental health impact.
By Katie McKenna & Helen Villiers
The invisible threat of narcissism in the workforce
Toxic narcissism in the workplace, when not recognised, threatens an entire organisation. The behaviour associated with it can permeate all areas of a company, jeopardising the safety, wellbeing, and productivity of the workforce. Understanding how it manifests is crucial to protecting both individuals and the organisation as a whole.
Recognising the impact of one individual’s narcissism is challenging because their behaviour is often covert and invisible, based on subtle questionable actions. Narcissists can dominate and control everyone around them, simultaneously self-promoting and oppressing coworkers.
UNDERMINING TEAM DYNAMICS AND DEVALUING
A narcissistic co-worker prioritises their own interests over the team’s, skilfully hiding their manipulative actions. They can secretly influence decisions and dynamics, causing division and mistrust without obvious signs. They might keep important information to themselves to appear indispensable, spread rumours, take credit for
others’ work, or subtly sabotage others. This undermines trust and makes co-workers less willing to share ideas and take risks, eroding team dynamics. Witnessing such behaviour without accountability destroys any sense of safety and loyalty, leading to increased turnover and less collaboration.
DISGUISED SELF-PROMOTION AND GRANDIOSITY
Narcissists are often charming and charismatic, presenting themselves and their work in the best possible light, while their true selves are only revealed behind closed doors. This charm wins over colleagues and bosses, leading to praise and promotions. Their perceived achievements, often earned on the shoulders of others, overshadow their harmful behaviour. Consequently, team members feel exploited, undervalued, and demoralised.
QUIET DOMINANCE AND CONTROL
Narcissistic behaviour often involves subtle, passiveaggressive comments and silencing others. For example, a narcissistic boss or colleague might covertly put down a team member’s ideas during meetings with backhanded compliments or frequent interruptions. This quiet control is hard to call out, easily dismissed, or blamed on the victim’s perception. This insidious behaviour typically targets one person, who feels isolated and silenced. When victims speak up, they often find others have experienced similar victimisation. Providing a safe way to explore work relationships and their impact on individuals is crucial.
A narcissistic coworker prioritises their own interests over the team’s, skilfully hiding their manipulative actions
HINDERING DEVELOPMENT
To maintain superiority, narcissists oppress the learning and growth opportunities of colleagues, especially when responsible for mentoring or training. They may complain that the mentee is unable to learn, blaming them for the lack of appropriate support. Th is is particularly toxic if the victim is new to the organisation and dependent on the narcissist to learn their role. Negative feedback from the narcissist can significantly impact the new member’s experience and how they are viewed within the organisation.
GASLIGHTING
Gaslighting involves behaviours that lead the victim to question their perception and reality. It is not about disagreement but about shutting down any perception other than the narcissist’s, suggesting the victim is insane, over-sensitive, or has unreliable memory. A narcissistic co-worker might deny making certain statements or decisions, causing a colleague to doubt their memories, eroding their confidence, and making them hesitant to speak up.
Gaslighting causes anxiety and depression, with the narcissist’s version of events often being more believable, leading leaders to mistakenly collude with the gaslighting and dismiss the victim’s account. It is crucial to distinguish between someone externalising all blame (toxic) and someone admitting responsibility but explaining what is not their fault (victim).
Narcissistic behaviour often involves subtle, passive-aggressive comments and silencing others
FOSTERING HEALTHY NARCISSISM
While toxic narcissism has a terrible impact on the workplace, healthy narcissism is important. Healthy narcissism does not exploit others, instead it drives us, motivates us to improve our skills and knowledge, and builds our confidence and self-belief without harming others.
At its core, healthy narcissism is a balanced self-esteem where individuals value themselves and their achievements, fostering self-confidence and resilience, without excessive self-absorption or disregard for others’ feelings and needs. Fostering healthy narcissism while mitigating toxic behaviours is essential for a productive work environment.
Organisations can achieve this by promoting open communication, creating awareness, implementing clear policies against toxic behaviour, and providing robust support systems for affected employees.
Katie McKenna and Helen Villiers are professional psychotherapists and the authors of the Sunday Times bestseller You’re Not the Problem: The Impact of Narcissism and Emotional Abuse and How to Heal.
Two-thirds (66%) of adults in the UK said that they believe prenuptial agreements are a ‘force for good’ in a recent survey by JMW Solicitors
SURVEY
PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENTS ‘force for good’
The study of 2,475 adults found that fewer than 8% of people strongly disagreed that prenuptial agreements were a force for good, and more than three-quarters (77.8%) of respondents felt that a ‘prenup’ could help to prevent further disputes.
Michael Chapman, Head of Family Law at JMW Solicitors said: “We were surprised by the positivity shown towards prenups by our survey’s respondents. Certain high-profi le celebrity divorces have brought the prenup into the mainstream and shown how much easier the process can be with a legal structure in place. For wealthy and successful people, a prenup often means that they can’t be taken advantage of – but for everyone else, it’s more about creating a practical framework for resolving disputes.
In fact, 21% of those surveyed said they would insist on a prenuptial agreement should they ever get married, while a further 48% said they would consider it.
Attitudes to prenups seem to be changing. Participants in the survey were almost evenly split on whether or not prenups are ‘unromantic’ – but with 51%, those who feel that there is nothing unromantic about these agreements are in the majority –just. Only 17% of respondents who had a prenup said that their biggest challenge was convincing their partner to get one, which suggests that there is a growing acceptance of the concept among the general public.
Until recently, prenuptial agreements were associated almost exclusively with celebrities and high net worth individuals, which made them into something of a status symbol. Again, this seems to be changing: now, only 16% of our survey respondents said that they believe that prenups are only for celebrities, high-profi le or wealthy individuals, and 70% said they believe prenups are becoming more popular in general.
“Of course, no couple wants to think about the end of their relationship right before their wedding day, but the security of a prenup can actually help to allay a lot of concerns and set the marriage off on the right foot. In that sense, the growing popularity of the prenuptial agreement among all segments of society makes sense.”
A prenuptial agreement offers a way to clearly delineate ownership of certain property and assets before a couple gets married
Until recently, prenuptial agreements were associated almost exclusively with celebrities and high net-worth individuals
Although awareness and positive sentiments towards prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are on the rise, the survey showed that there are still some key gaps in the public’s understanding of how they work. Slightly below one-third of respondents have personally had a prenuptial agreement, lower than the 45% who have not had one, despite being or having been married. 53% of respondents did not know a prenuptial agreement can be reviewed and changed after it has been drafted and signed.
In England and Wales, prenuptial agreements are not automatically enforceable by law. However, courts are likely to uphold them if they meet the specific needs of the people involved. The court
Circumstances and perspectives can change after marriage, and a postnuptial agreement can be a valuable tool for couples in these situations.
Couples who reconcile after a separation might use a postnuptial agreement to create clear financial terms as part of their reconciliation, providing a fresh start and agreed-upon foundation.
Like prenups, postnuptial agreements must be entered into voluntarily, with full financial disclosure from both parties. They should be fair and properly documented and, ideally, both parties should receive independent legal advice.
Find the full survey results here: www.jmw.co.uk/blog/ family-law/whatare-uks-attitudes-toprenuptial-agreements
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
SP OTLIGH T
Dr Shakardokht
Jafari
Dr Shakardokht Jafari’s journey from a young girl in Afghanistan to a pioneering medical physicist and entrepreneur is a testament to passion, resilience, and determination
Her path to innovation began with a harsh reality – 30% of cancer patients receiving radiation therapy experienced treatment failures or complications. Working in a hospital, she saw first hand how research lagged behind patients’ needs, necessitating early error detection to adjust treatments. This inspired a revolutionary idea.
Drawing from her experience making jewellery to fund her studies, Dr Jafari experimented with silica beads as an alternative radiation dosimetry material. A trip to a craft store and an experiment yielded promising results, with the beads allowing radiation to be more accurately targeted.
Her passion for medical physics drove her to pursue a PhD, determined to make a tangible difference. Her doctoral research led to the groundbreaking development of TrueInvivo, a company that uses silica bead technology to enhance the precision of radiation therapy.
However, turning her innovative idea into a viable business required learning entrepreneurship. Mentorship from an Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Surrey equipped her with the skills to navigate commercialisation. By the end of 2014, TrueInvivo was established.
Building TrueInvivo was a collective effort. Shakar acknowledges that support from neighbours, friends, and colleagues was crucial. Their dedication and collaboration helped transform her vision into reality, demonstrating the power of a supportive team in overcoming challenges and achieving success.
Building TrueInvivo was a collective effort. Shakar acknowledges that support from neighbours, friends, and colleagues was crucial
Her journey was marked by significant personal and professional challenges. She faced a cancer diagnosis during pregnancy, financial constraints, and the loss of a major investor due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these obstacles, her resilience shone through. Balancing her own cancer treatment and pregnancy, she remained steadfast in her mission to improve radiation therapy for others. Her personal battle only strengthened her resolve to help cancer patients avoid the frustrations she experienced.
Dr Jafari’s success has been recognised through numerous prestigious awards, including the Innovate UK Women in Innovation award and the Dynamic Innovator of the Year award. These accolades, along with participation in the Academy of Engineering’s Shott Scale-Up Programme, have empowered her to continue leading TrueInvivo towards greater technological advancements.
With her sights set on the future, Shakar is determined to make advanced medical care accessible globally, especially in resource-limited regions. Her journey underscores the power of unwavering determination and the ability to overcome obstacles. Dr. Jafari’s message to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: believe in yourself.
Additionally, she is passionate about education, particularly for Afghan girls, advocating for their right to learn and achieve their dreams.
Read more about Dr. Jafari’s incredible story in her book, Shakar: Journey of a woman from Afghanistan.
most recent appointment as a Non-Executive Director for NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board adds to her long list of achievements that includes being an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh; Partnerships Lead at BREATHE HDRUK; as well as the Advocacy & Impact Lead at the Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research.
Dynamic is delighted to have Monica contribute to the magazine’s Wellbeing section
I have spent my extensive career working in healthcare. This has spanned a range of organisations, healthcare settings and, indeed, countries. Throughout, I have been driven by one fundamental desire - to make a difference.
My career exemplifies the positive and influential impact nurses can have, not purely on individuals but also on populations and healthcare systems in the UK and around the globe. Little could I have imagined as a young woman growing up in Sussex, that the simple decision to become a nurse, would transform my life and influence the lives of many.
I was certainly not born into an academic family – far from it, but my desire to understand the ‘why’ in life has been a major part of my success. I’ve never been happy to take things purely at face value, nor to accept the status quo. ‘Good enough’ is never enough as far as my own personal performance is concerned.
When I look back, I recognise that I must have been a challenging student nurse as I always wanted to know more, and constantly asked ‘why?’ ‘That’s the way we do it’ was never enough of an answer for me neither. My inquisitive mind drove me to continue my education and I liken myself to the title role in ‘Educating Rita’!
My personal experience inspired me to help others become educated because knowledge can truly empower people to do and achieve things they never felt possible. As Chief Executive of ‘Education for Health’ for over 17 years, I’ve witnessed mature nurses with similar backgrounds as me complete degrees, frequently whilst juggling
When I look back, I recognise that I must have been a challenging student nurse as I always wanted to know more, and constantly asked why?
demanding clinical roles and family commitments. They too were often the first in their families to graduate. The pride on them and their families’ faces when they popped on a mortar board and gown still gives me a huge sense of pride!
I am also very proud of having founded the international project ‘Better Breathing Bangladesh’, which educates rural communities and individuals in asthma and asthma care. It has transformed many lives.
In recent years I have broadened into research as I continue to challenge in the academic world in which I now work, emphasising that there is little point in undertaking research that does not change the way in which we deliver patient care and change people’s lives. Impact still drives me and I have often found the need to make bold and courageous efforts to really impact people’s lives. Making a difference is still my raison-d’être!
If I could advise my 15 year-old self, or indeed any young person, it would be to have a big vision, be prepared to take risks, believe in yourself and develop resilience.
New research from careers site Reed reveals that millennials is the generation least likely to disclose mental health issues to work colleagues, with 57% stating they wouldn’t feel comfortable doing so. What can be done to alleviate this?
DISCUSSING MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE
This stands in contrast to baby boomers –perhaps surprisingly, the generation most likely to open up – with only 45% saying they would not want to talk about their mental health.
David Banaghan, Co-Founder and Interim CEO at recruitment software providers, Occupop, says, “These new statistics will make for stark reading for some employers. Whatever the generation, it’s clear that businesses increasingly need to open up conversations around mental health at work and put the necessary support in place to mitigate its impact.
“Mental health conditions such as anxiety, stress and depression currently account for 23% of sick days in the UK with each person who suffers taking on average 19.6 days off per year as a result.”
So how do you create an environment in which employees feel safe and supported in discussing their mental health at work to foster open dialogue and prioritise employee wellbeing?
WHY ARE MILLENNIALS RELUCTANT TO OPEN UP?
Hesitation around mental health dialogues may be multifaceted. David continues, “Despite much progress and awareness, mental health stigma persists in the workplace as your millennial employees may worry about being labelled, judged, or unfairly treated in their struggles.
“Professional image may also play a part. Some individuals may be concerned that it will affect their image as strong, competent employees or hinder their career advancement. Business leaders should be encouraged to listen empathetically without judgement and, where appropriate, openly discuss their own mental health journeys. Vulnerability from the top can set the tone for the organisation.”
Mental health conditions such as anxiety, stress and depression currently account for 23% of sick days in the UK
WELLBEING STRATEGIES
Interestingly, 73% of baby boomers have never taken a sick day on mental health grounds, whereas 66% of Gen Z employees confess to having done so.
Clearly, different generations have different expectations and coping strategies, so it’s important to implement wellbeing policies to help employees when they are at work. This can include offering to employ assistance programmes (EAPs), access to apposite mental health resources and support networks, as well as organising wellness workshops and seminars.
Awareness days such as World Mental Health Day (October 10th) offer a good opportunity to lead the discussion and get your employees to connect with each other. Also, consider mindfulness and resilience training to equip employees with coping mechanisms when symptoms may be particularly acute.
FLEXIBLE WORKING ARRANGEMENTS
In the modern world, outmoded notions of the traditional ‘9 to 5’ may be incompatible with a happy work / life balance. In fact, 60% of employers are already offering flexible working options, including hybrid working, flexitime core hours policies and even the four-day working week.
Approximately 39% of people who work flexibly report a noticeable improvement in their mental health. Flexible hours encourage ‘working to live’ as opposed to ‘living to work’ and enable employees to better organise their work around their family life, fitness and social commitments.
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
As stated, your appointed leaders must lead by example. Managers and team leaders play a pivotal role in shaping the culture of your organisation and setting the tone for acceptable behaviours. Providing comprehensive training programmes that equip leaders with the skills to recognise signs of mental distress, initiate conversations with empathy, and offer appropriate support can significantly impact employee wellbeing.
By fostering an environment of trust and understanding, leaders can encourage their team members to feel comfortable discussing their mental health concerns without fear of stigma or judgement.
73% of baby boomers have never taken a sick day on mental health grounds, whereas 66% of Gen Z employees confess to having done so
INNOVATIVE HR PRACTICES
Having a dedicated HR infrastructure in place can help you implement your mental health strategies effectively while cultivating an atmosphere of openness and acceptance.
HR professionals can also drive change by thinking outside the box. How about platforms – be it online feedback or suggestion boxes – where employees can seek help without revealing their identity? Alternatively, how about appointing mental health champions within teams to help promote awareness?
CONCLUSION
Creating a workplace where mental health conversations flow freely is not just a moral imperative but a sage strategic decision too. Better dialogue around mental health can guard against productivity loss and reputational risk, and improve talent retention. By fostering empathy, implementing practical strategies, and breaking down stigma, businesses can empower millennials and all employees to embrace their vulnerabilities.
www.occupop.com
THURSDAY
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According to Allergy UK, hay fever affects up to 30% of children, making it common. If you, a close friend, or a family member suffer from hay fever (allergic rhinitis), you know how miserable it can be during the British summers! Here’s how to alleviate the worst of the symptoms – by Monica Fletcher OBE
SNEEZES & WHEEZES –airways united!
According to Allergy UK, hay fever affects up to 30% of children, making it common. If you, a close friend, or a family member suffer from hay fever (allergic rhinitis), you know how miserable it can be during the British summers! Here’s how to alleviate the worst of the symptoms – by Monica Fletcher OBE
Children with hay fever often also have other allergic conditions like asthma, eczema, or food allergies, as part of the ‘atopic march,’ where eczema typically begins fi rst, followed by hay fever and asthma. If your child experiences these conditions, early management and proper care are important.
The worst period for hay fever symptoms in the UK is typically late March to September, coinciding with peak pollen counts, which trigger classic symptoms like sneezing, runny or stuff y nose, itchy or watery eyes, and itchy throat and ears. Some people also experience a persistent cough, especially at night, feel tired due to disrupted sleep, and have headaches due to sinus pressure and congestion.
People can be allergic to various pollens, and the peak seasons vary slightly. Tree pollen peaks fi rst – commonly
news: most people won’t be allergic to all types of pollen, although some unfortunate individuals are troubled with variable symptoms throughout. The exact timing can vary based on location, weather, and individual sensitivities. It is also worth noting that during the summer season, when many people travel around the world for their holidays, the local pollens and triggers may be quite different. Remember, this is not an exact science and is driven very much by the local climate and daily weather conditions.
Be prepared if you or your children know you will be affected by hay fever. Medicines will depend on your symptoms, and most can be treated with over-the-counter medications such as antihistamine tablets, nasal sprays, eye drops, or nasal steroids. Most antihistamines these days are ‘non-sedating,’ meaning they should not make you feel sleepy, but do check with the pharmacist before buying them.
Early intervention and proper management are crucial to prevent
SEASONAL ASTHMA
Symptoms such as coughing and wheezing may well be due to seasonal asthma and should be treated as such. Don’t put up with these symptoms, as they need to be properly diagnosed and treated with the correct medicines, such as inhalers. If symptoms suggestive of asthma only occur during the hay fever season, then these medicines may only be needed for part of the year. Both hay fever and allergic asthma treatments aim to limit the body’s response to allergy triggers and the immune response that happens as a result of the exposure.
There are other practical things you can do to help with your symptoms. Avoid going out on hot dry days, when the pollen count may be high. Make sure that you have taken your medicines and wear sunglasses – particularly the wraparound ones when you do go out. If you experience high pollen exposure, change your clothes, shower, wash your hair, do not dry clothes outside on days with a high pollen count, and close the windows in the house, particularly overnight.
Hay fever and asthma often occur together, with about 80% of people with asthma also experiencing hay fever symptoms at some time in their lives, making it the most common type of allergy that overlaps with asthma. Remember, anatomically, the nose, mouth, and throat are all connected—‘united airways’—and act as a fi lter to the lungs.
So, the same factors that trigger hay fever symptoms, such as pollen, may also cause asthma signs and symptoms; however, asthma can be triggered by many other things, and some people are not triggered by allergies. Viral respiratory tract infections are also a common trigger. That is why asthma symptoms, particularly in children, rise in September. You may have heard of the ‘Back-to-School Effect’. There can be a surge of asthma attacks or symptoms as schools reopen after the summer break, as children are exposed to new environments, allergens, and common respiratory infections.
Early intervention and proper management are crucial to prevent severe asthma attacks during this time. If you have concerns, consult a healthcare professional. If you know your child has asthma, be prepared! Make sure your school knows about your child’s condition, any known allergies, and their medications and action plans – meaning what to do, and when! Many schools have become ‘asthma friendly,’ as asthma is the most common long-term medical condition in children (affecting about one in eight children). Ensure the school has a supply of your child’s prescribed inhalers or medications.
If your child has regular medicines for their asthma, ensure they take them consistently and teach them how to use inhalers correctly. If they have stopped treatment during the summer, be sure they start again at least a week before they go back to school. Inform the school staff, teachers, and administrators about your child’s asthma. Share their asthma action plan and emergency contacts. Discuss any specific allergens with the school (e.g., pet allergies, classroom, plants).
So, enjoy the summer, keep safe, try to prevent issues before they arise, and remember that people with both hay fever and asthma can and should live normal, active, full lives, albeit with some planning!
+ PRIORITISING POLLEN
For the latest pollen forecast, download the Met Office weather app www.metoffice.gov.uk/ weather/weather-app and turn on your pollen notification for daily updates
FURTHER READING…
Sara Daw is Group CEO of The CFO Centre and The Liberti Group, and the author of Strategy and Leadership as Service –How the Access Economy Meets the C-Suite
THE
C-SUITE
PARENTS RECLAIMING WORK-LIFE BALANCE
When my first daughter was almost one, and we were taking our first solo flight together. I was desperately searching for someone friendly to sit next to. An older woman jumped up from her seat with a big smile. She asked me to sit with her and happily took my daughter out of my arms, allowing me to pack our bags away and settle in.
We got talking. She explained she had a portfolio career as a non-executive director, sitting on several UK PLC Boards – some of the nation’s biggest retailers. She was a remarkable business person.
I’d never heard of a portfolio career before. This was
THE PORTFOLIO LIFE: FUTURE-PROOF YOUR CAREER AND CRAFT A LIFE WORTHY OF YOU
By
Christina Wallace Ebury Edge (2023)
Millennial Harvard Business School professor and serial entrepreneur
Christina Wallace delivers a model for thriving amidst the constant disruptions of the 21st Century. Adapting triedand-true practices from the business sector, Christina makes Portfolio Living accessible and actionable for all readers through practical tools like her balanced scorecard, 100 wishes assessment, time optimisation benchmarks, and more. Being multidimensional is a career superpower. This book empowers readers to shape their lives to align with their core values, aptitudes, and interests to future-proof their careers and their home lives.
a life-changing moment for me; she inspired me to think differently about the direction I could take my career. I started to piece together a way forward that balanced building a career with motherhood. It might be possible to step away from the traditional employment route and have a portfolio career as a self-employed CFO. Being a part-time CFO seemed a perfect way forward, so I set myself up.
What surprised me most about working with SME businesses was how understanding my clients were of my family situation. Many were in the same boat and saw balancing family commitments with work as normal.
More and more C-suite parents, like me, are disillusioned with the relentless agenda of corporate life. We are fed up
THE SQUIGGLY CAREER: DITCH THE LADDER, DISCOVER OPPORTUNITY, DESIGN YOUR CAREER
By
Helen Tupper, Sarah Ellis Penguin (2020)
This Sunday Times Bestseller argues that career ladders and jobs for life are a thing of the past. Today, we’re living in a world of squiggly careers, where moving frequently and fluidly between roles, industries, locations, and even careers, is becoming the new normal. Squiggly careers can feel stressful and overwhelming, but if you know how to make the most of them, they can be full of opportunity, freedom and purpose.
with the lack of flexibility to be an active and present parent (and this goes for dads too) but we still want and deserve to have a fulfilling career.
We are choosing a different way of living and working by joining the C-suite access economy. We become self-
I’d never heard of a portfolio career before. This was a life-changing moment for me
EXECUTIVE FREEDOM: HOW TO ESCAPE THE C-SUITE, CREATE INCOME SECURITY, AND TAKE BACK CONTROL BY BUILDING A PART-TIME PORTFOLIO CAREER
By Colin Mills, Sara Daw BrightFlame (2019)
Have you reached a point in your career where your role as a C-Suite Executive just isn’t working for you anymore? Have you sacrificed personal freedom for the comfort and perceived security of a full-time executive job? The world is full of innovative, passionate people running remarkable businesses, providing extraordinary products and services that make a real difference in the world. What if there were a way for you to offer your unique ability to just a handful of these organisations to help them thrive while getting paid handsomely in return?
employed, and wrestle back control to work with a portfolio of SME clients who need our skills to scale and who we serve for the long-term, becoming an integral part of their teams and growth paths.
Importantly, because these businesses don’t need, don’t want, and can’t afford us full-time, we work with each of them on a part-time basis, which means we can work as much as we want and build flex into our schedules to take our kids to school, and be there when it matters. Our clients appreciate this human need to balance our family and work lives – after all, they are doing exactly the same!
FOUR THOUSAND WEEKS: TIME MANAGEMENT FOR MERE MORTALS
By Oliver Burkeman Vintage (2022)
Make your four thousand weeks count. A Sunday Times bestseller. What if you tried to stop doing everything, so you could finally get round to what counts? Rejecting the futile modern obsession with ‘getting everything done,’ Four Thousand Weeks introduces readers to tools for constructing a meaningful life by embracing rather than denying their limitations. Drawing on the insights of both ancient and contemporary philosophers, psychologists, and spiritual teachers, Oliver Burkeman sets out to realign our relationship with time - and in doing so, to liberate us from its tyranny.
By KELLIE MILLER
DRAWING WITH LIGHT THE WORKS OF ANN PETRUCKEVITCH
Photography – drawing with light – uses light to record an image using various methods, including digital, magnetic, camera-less, and analogue. Ann Petruckevitch uses an array of techniques to explore her interest in image interpretation. At the heart of what she does is a thirst for experimentation. She challenges herself to create images that attempt to capture the subject matter’s depth, shape, and visual impact by presenting them on media, enabling an organic exploration.
“I consider myself to be a photographic artist in the sense that I use photographic media such as camera-less, film and digital approaches to observe and interpret visual contexts in a more abstract and ethereal way, perhaps playing with objective definitions and representing them more subjectively to the viewer using vibrant colour or timeless black and white photography.”
She has received numerous awards over her career, including Julia Cameron, Pollux, London and New York Photography, Muse Photography, and reFocus.
Technological changes are transforming the photography landscape, offering new tools and opportunities while presenting challenges that photographers must navigate. Digital photography and the smartphone can be said to have democratised photography. But, for the photographer, the main questions are what to exclude from and what to include in the frame. The artist’s role is to create the definitive image, perhaps overlooked by many, save for her. Emotional depth and storytelling are essential elements in shaping the final image.
Many of her photographic projects originate from a desire to invite the viewer to witness some of the subtle unseen details of our environment
Ann’s way is to invite the viewer to witness some of the subtle unseen details of their environment. Nature forms an integral part of her life; by definition, it embodies the physicality of being part of this world. Her deep understanding of nature’s fragility and its ability to survive mirrors the vulnerability we feel daily as humans.
Many of her photographic projects originate from a desire to invite the viewer to witness some of the subtle unseen details of our environment, whether it is an offbeat street scene, a conceptual observation of the natural world or a more intimate study of a person’s life and how they function within it.
Kellie Miller is an artist, curator, critic and gallery owner.
Poppy Heads
Ann challenges herself to create images that attempt to capture the subject matter’s depth, shape, and visual impact
Summer
Poppy
Transition
By Tess de Klerk
CINQUE TERRE the five lands of Liguria
Cinque Terre comprises five picturesque fishing villages on Italy’s north west coast, where vibrant houses nestle on cliffs and ravines. With its stunning sea views, fantastic food and wine, and endless photo opportunities, Cinque Terre is a dream destination.
As is so often the case though, this beauty also brings a downside — it’s one of the most heavily visited areas in Italy, with throngs of tourists flooding the narrow streets daily, eager for a quick photo for their socials before moving on.
Cinque Terre is overcrowded in peak season, so if you can, plan a trip during the shoulder season – March/April or September/October – there will be fewer tourists and a more temperate weather. Even if that isn’t always possible, it shouldn’t stop you. Just take your time. While many visitors opt for day trips, a quick in and out, I suggest a three or fourday stay to get the most out of this remarkable landscape.
THE FIVE TOWNS OF CINQUE TERRE 1
MANAROLA
Perched 70 metres above sea level, Manarola is often the must-see destination for visitors to Cinque Terre, and for good reason. Historians believe it to be the first established town in Cinque Terre, and it’s widely considered the most picturesque. If you decide to venture to the top of Manarola, don’t miss out on a visit to the Church of San Lorenzo, a Gothic Ligurian-style structure built in 1338.
3 MONTEROSSO AL MARE
While many visitors come to Cinque Terre to see Manarola, they often leave with Monterosso al Mare as their favourite. Monterosso has a lovely sandy beach, making it the ideal place for swimming. It is the largest of the towns, located on foothills with vineyards, olive groves and lemon orchards. I recommend taking a boat tour from here to experience Cinque Terre from another fantastic angle.
• Be aware on the trails:
Cinque Terre’s footpaths can deceivingly comfortable but these are steep, cliffside routes that can seem perilously narrow in places. Pause to take photos instead of walking with your camera to prevent accidents. Wear proper footwear (flip flops are not allowed and there are inspections at the trailheads) and carry ample water, as there isn’t always shade. Stay on the marked paths to help preserve this delicate ecosystem.
• Give back as much as you can:
As with any heavily visited destination, the future of Cinque Terre hinges on the behaviour of its tourists. Support local artisans, eat at local restaurants serving local ingredients and drink local wines. Replanting vineyards play a vital role in stabilising the delicate cliff terraces.
Unlike the other Cinque Terre towns, Corniglia is perched higher on a hill, away from the immediate coastline, but it offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. This town is famous for its Vernaccia di Corniglia wine, which you should definitely try. Be prepared for a bit of a climb, as you’ll need to ascend 365 steps from the train station, although there is also a bus option. The tiny town is tranquil and offers the only vantage point where you can photograph all five villages at once. In this charming village, you can visit the 18th Century square largo Taragio with its Oratory Santa Caterina.
4
VERNAZZA 2 CORNIGLIA
Out of all the towns, Vernazza stands out as particularly charming and colourful. It boasts a unique church located right on the water, where you can enjoy views of the sea directly from its windows. Subtle colourful pastels surround the tiny port, with a bustling piazza lined with incredible restaurants and bars. At the same time, the village is abundant with steeply terraced olive groves that are said to produce some of the best olive oil in the country. The peaceful Sanctuary of Our lady of Reggio is located above the town, accessed by a scenic hiking trail. Vernazza is my personal favourite.
5 RIOMAGGIORE
Riomaggiore is the most southern town in all of Cinque Terre. It’s the very first stop on the train from La Spezia, and is the town that I suggest you explore first. It is best known as the starting point of the famous Lover’s Lane, or Via dell’Amore, trail, which leads directly to Manarola (a 20-minute walk). Visit the historic Castello di Riomaggiore for panoramic views and the church of San Giovanni Battista, standing since 1340.
Have you seen photos of people cliffjumping in Cinque Terre? That would be in Riomaggiore. If you’re brave enough, you can take the plunge too!
HIKING IN CINQUE TERRE
You’ll find over 120km of trails along the coastline, with 48 hiking trails to choose from. The most popular are Monterosso to Vernazza and from Vernazza to Corniglia for which you’ll need the Cinque Terre Card but during offseason (November 4th – March 14th) all the trails are free.
The famous Blue Trail connects Riomaggiore to Monterosso al Mare, connecting all five villages. Walking the entire trail without stopping in the villages will take about five to six hours but that misses the point, in my opinion. Here is a breakdown of the Blue Trail to allow for lots of sightseeing.
• Riomaggiore to Manarola
Easily walk the 1.5km in approximately 30 minutes.
• Manrola to Corniglia
3 km which should take around 1 hour.
• Corniglia to Vernazza
Moderate difficulty level, 4km that should take around 1hour 30 minutes.
• Vernazza to Monterosso
3.5km, approximately 1.5 hours, moderate level
+ WHERE TO STAY
Cinque Terre has a limited number of hotels, primarily located in Riomaggiore and Monterosso al Mare, the larger villages. Most accommodation is either villas and guesthouses, with apartments available for rent on Airbnb – a great option for an authentic Cinque Terre experience.
However, be sure to book early as these places fill up quickly. Riomaggiore and Monterosso al Mare are the most popular choices for visitors. For a quieter stay, consider Corniglia. Vernazza and Manarola also tend to be less crowded, especially in the evenings. Levanto and La Spezia bookend Cinque Terre and are included in Cinque Terre train tickets, so if you’re booking last minute and the villages are sold out, try here (I prefer Levanto – La Spezia is a bigger city).
Be sure to book early as these places fi ll up quickly. Riomaggiore and Monterosso al Mare are the most popular choices for visitors
+ HOW TO GET THERE
• BY CAR
The villages are accessible by car, but you’ll need to be adventurous enough to brave the winding, narrow cliff-edge roads – and after you survive the journey, you’ll need to fork out some cash to pay for parking. However, if you are traveling by car, it would be a good idea to leave it in the secure parking facilities at La Spezia’s train station.
• BY TRAIN
Train is by far the best way to reach and travel between the Cinque Terre villages. A train line runs along the country’s west coast and links all five villages with Pisa, Rome, and Genoa. If you’re coming from Florence, you will need to change trains in Pisa.
There are non-stop trains from Milan to Monterossso, approximately a three-hour hr journey. The closest airports are in Pisa and Genoa.
An economical option is the Cinque Terre Card, which covers all train fare between La Spezia and Levanto and hiking fees.
• BY BOAT
If you plan on visiting the Cinque Terre villages between April and September, then arriving by sea is also an option. Since ferries run from Genoa, Portofino, and Porto Venere during those months, you can also rent a yacht from one of the ports and make an unforgettable entrance.
ANDALUCIA TAPAS & WINE BAR FERRING, WEST SUSSEX
By Alan Wares
If one didn’t know better, it would be easy to draw the conclusion that the people of Ferring, three miles to the west of Worthing, don’t really want interlopers in their village.
There are two roads in – Goring Way and Sea Road –and one of those passes by a series of private estates. More pertinently, there are four roads out. There are also myriad private roads where outsiders’ cars are not welcome, and even pedestrians often think twice about walking down these roads. It’s not quite Royston Vasey, but do make sure you wipe your feet on your way in.
Ferring, however, does play host to a wonderful Spanish tapas bar, Andalucia. Situated on the village’s high street, Ferring Street, for well over a decade, this light and airy restaurant is the perfect place for two lovers, or for a party, and all points in-between – it’s that versatile.
The front area is a cool but regular bar with plenty of seating where you can have your drinks, and be served plates from their ‘All-Day Light Tapas’ menu – if you just wanted a light snack. There are many excellent choices of beers and wines giving the impression that, just for a moment, ignoring the 700 Coastliner bus thundering past, it’s easy to place yourself in a mellow bar in Spain.
The restaurant at the back has the feel of being light and spacious. The waiting staff are knowledgeable and attentive without being fussy, and there are several menus available for different events at the restaurant. I went with my partner for a meal from the regular tapas menu.
When entering other tapas bars in the UK, I tend to find the menu has been anglicised a bit; certainly many are different from any given tapas bar in Spain. Thankfully, Andalucia’s menu has veered much more towards the more authentic Spanish end.
There are many excellent choices of beers and wines giving the impression that, just for a moment, it’s easy to place yourself in a mellow bar in Spain
Between us, we chose six dishes – the beauty of tapas is you can always choose more – including my partner’s favourite, pimientos de padrón (salted chilli peppers). She went as far as saying they’re best she’s had anywhere –including Spain. Me, I am always ready for albondigas – pork and beef meatballs in tomato sauce. I am also quite fussy about how I like them flavoured. These were exquisite.
The rest of the meal was fi lled with tapas classics –gambas pil pil (spicy prawns); berenjenas con miel (fried honey-soaked aubergines); bacalao al ajillo (cod in garlic); and patatas bravas (patatas bravas) – all excellent. Th is we topped with a fine white Rioja.
It’s probably fair to say that, while not larcenous, the final bill at Andalucia is on the high side of average. Th is is understandable; they are in a small village, and footfall is mostly local, plus the quality of the food is high.
In our case, the bill came in at £78. You are getting what you pay for, and a visit is recommended. If the parishioners let you in.
Every first Saturday of the month features a ‘Tipsy Tapas’ where you are given three plates of tapas, and 90 minutes of bottomless Cava, Kir Royale, Paloma cocktail or bottled beer.
Additionally, the last Sunday of the month, between 3pm and 5pm, hosts a session of live Flamenco music and traditional Flamenco dancers.
The restaurant at the back has the feel of being light and spacious. The waiting staff are knowledgeable and attentive without being fussy
BRIGHTON & HOVE BRIGHTON & HOVE TRIATHLON
Perfect for beginners. Fast, flat trafficfree route along the famous seafront. Brighton and Hove Triathlon is well established as one of the biggest events in the triathlon calendar. The event will include Super-Sprint, Sprint and Standard Distances along with children’s triathlons for 3-16 year olds. There are also early bird deals for a limited period which if you take with Booking Protection is still cheaper than waiting, so there really is nothing to lose and everything to gain by entering early!
Across Brighton & Hove September 1st
www.brightonandhovetriathlon.com
WHAT’S ON...
A brief snapshot of art and culture in Sussex and Surrey
EASTBOURNE EASTBOURNE WALKING FESTIVAL
Eastbourne Walking Festival is a ten day celebration of the great outdoors. The event acts as a springboard to promoting the health and wellbeing benefits of discovering walking as a way of life, and is carefully curated to provide something for everyone. It is designed to introduce and inspire visitors and residents of Eastbourne to the incredible trails, paths, and stories of discovery throughout this Victorian town that is nestled right at the gateway to the South Downs National Park.
Around Eastbourne
September 7th-15th
www.visiteastbourne.com/walking-festival
BILLINGSHURST THE FLORAL FRINGE FAIR
A unique event in a magical woodland and meadow setting that features over 100 stalls of vintage, makers, good food, wildlife interest, plants. Forest bathing, classic cars, picnicking, a Green Man competition, singing and dancing. Visitors are encouraged to dress in colourful style; be that vintage, Sunday best, a big hat, a floral headpiece, Summer dress or even a creative Steampunk costume!
Loxwood Meadow, Nr Billingshurst
August 31st - September 1st
www.floralfringefair.co.uk
GOODWOOD GOOD FOOD FESTIVAL
Enjoy top culinary talent, your favourite chefs, street food, pop-up bars, live cooking, music, book signings, family activities at the Good Food Festival 2024! The weekend promises to be a foodie extravaganza for all the family. There’s something for everyone at the Good Food Festival – music, meet the stars at the Book Signing, or make your own picnic.
Goodwood House, Nr Chichester August 16th-18th
www.goodfoodshow.com/goodwood-festival
HAYWARDS HEATH PAULINE QUIRKE ACADEMY WORKSHOP
PQA Haywards Heath runs performing arts classes on Saturdays from Warden Park Secondary Academy. Students aged 6-18 years spend three hours learning a variety of performing arts skills across our three modules, Musical Theatre, Comedy & Drama and Film & Television.
Do you have a budding performer or filmmaker? Do you know someone who likes to sing, dance, act and make films aged 6-18? Then why not come and check out our FREE open day at our brand new afternoon academy.
Warden Park School, Haywards Heath September 7th www.pqacademy.com/academies/haywards-heath
SINGLETON FIVE CHILDREN AND IT
The five children – Cyril, Anthea, Robert, Jane, and their baby brother, known as the Lamb – are playing in a gravel pit one morning when they uncover a rather grumpy and sometimes tricky Psammead, a sand-fairy with the ability to grant wishes. Join them on their adventures as they learn what it is to be careful what you wish for!
Based on the classic children’s novel by E. Nesbit – with live music and puppetry throughout – children and adults alike will love this ever-popular story reimagined for the stage.
Weald & Downland Museum, Singleton August 16th www.wealddown.co.uk/whats-on/theatre
Come along to meet the Gruffalo himself at our fun day! The Gruffalo will be appearing at various times throughout the day and there will be lots of Gruffalo-themed activities on offer. Join us for a fun-filled family day out at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest! We are celebrating the Gruffalo’s 25th birthday, so join us for the ultimate party. Get crafting Gruffalo style at our craft and colouring stations. Visit our interactive Gruffalo Party Trail –remember to pick up an activity pack from the information point.
Are you ready for mighty action? PAW Patrol is coming to Drusillas Park! Ready or not, Chase & Marshall will be coming in hot to Drusillas this June and August, and you’re all invited to come and see them. Don’t miss a PAWsitively magic moment with the mighty pups at intervals throughout the day. There will be plenty of opportunities for photos, so don’t forget your camera. We are so excited to meet them!
