suffolk AUTUMN 2013 | www.iod-suffolk.co.uk
education and skills
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CONTENTS
Welcome. As we return to work after the summer break we congratulate Suffolk' s students on their strong exam results. It's good news for our region, but will it resolve the skills shortage? In our annual education and skills issue we investigate what's being done to close the skills gap and check out MOOCs (the next big thing in online education). And we find out whether some of our region's cities and big towns are more equal than others from a small business's perspective. We also take a sneak preview of the IOD Suffolk Annual Dinner, test drive a stylish car with that is hot on economy and meet IOD Suffolk's very own jolly sailor John Haresnape. Have a great autumn! Email us at IoD-feedback@tilstonphillips.com or write to us at the address below. Jane Chittenden – Editor
Published by: Tilston Phillips Magazines Limited 141 Norwich Road, Ipswich IP1 2PP enquiries@tilstonphillips.com www.tilstonphillips.com
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Designed by: Toni Escriche Image of students on contents page and p17 used by kind permission of West Suffolk College, Bury St. Edmunds
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All rights reserved. Reproduction, in part or in whole, without the prior consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited. The content of this magazine is based on the best knowledge and information available at the time of publication. All times, prices and details of events were correct at time of going to press. The views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers, proprietors, the Institute of Directors or others associated with this production. Š Tilston Phillips Magazines Limited 2013
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Contents
1
From the Chair
3
IoD Annual Dinner
4
Forthcoming autumn events
5
Conferencing | Stoke Park
6
Across the region
8
Protecting the Director
11
PR and Marketing
13
Previous IoD Suffolk Events
14
Skills
16
A word from the accountants
18
International trade
19
MOOCs
21
Social Media
22
Motoring review | Volvo V60
23
Sartorial style | Coes of Ipswich
25
Urban Small Business
26
Leisure
28
Business books
31
Member profile | John Haresnape
32
From our solutions comes your certainty 01473 346046 www.poundgates.com Pound Gates St Vincent House, 1 Cutler Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1UQ Pound Gates & Co Ltd, trading as Pound Gates, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and is an ISO and Investor in People accredited company.
WELCOME
New members to Suffolk branch Alfie Butler Bournemouth University Rod Durbin Communique Creative Marketing Ltd James Laird Haven Marine Ship Management Ltd Jane Garrard Personal Career Management Ltd Stuart Richard Smith PWE Recruitment Group Ltd Khalit Khabibullin Stiletto Systems Ltd Alan Whittaker Suffolk One Aaron Ashton T E S Prime Ed Farrell The Duck Truck Company Ltd Joanna Robinson The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn Caroline Foster The Write Impression LLP Grant Lockhart-White
IoD Suffolk membership benefits • • • • • •
IoD Travel Services IoD Car Rental IoD Director’s Liability Insurance IoD Professional Indemnity Insurance IoD Home and Contents Insurance IoD Health Plans For a complete list of the current affinity member benefits, please see www.iod.com/speciallynegotiated To find out more about joining IoD Suffolk branch please contact: Caroline Kearney Suffolk Branch Administrator 07917 699 498 caroline@iod-suffolk.co.uk Institute of Directors Suffolk Branch 25 Wilding Drive, Grange Farm, Kesgrave Ipswich IP5 2AE www.iod-suffolk.co.uk Follow @SuffolkIoD
From the Chair In his recent first outing, Mark Carney, new Governor of the Bank of England, talked about “forward guidance” and blasted the “socially useless” banks. He seems to have made an impression, but what does it all actually mean for us? His statements seem to boil down (admittedly in a heavily qualified way) to three more years of the same. So in essence this is just making explicit what the Bank has been doing for years now: concerning itself with growth and employment, rather than its official mandate of inflation. Creditors will feel a boost to their disposable income; savers will see their income and capital contract. One group gains, the other loses. The net result is “unchanged”. The reality of course is that the Government needs to deal with the fundamentals: improving competitiveness, facilitating export, more radical supply-side reform, dealing with unsustainable welfare spending, cutting red-tape, simplifying our overly-complex tax system, getting on with infrastructure projects and spending on training and education. The issue is “Juncker’s curse” (after the Luxembourg prime minister who articulated it): “We know what needs to be done, we just don’t know how to get re-elected after doing it”. IoD Chief Economist Graeme Leach is joining us at Ickworth on 25 September and will no doubt have some thoughts to add. The IoD Suffolk committee has been focussing on our priority areas of
improving member connectivity and working closer with our county’s educational institutions. I recently reflected on the connectivity point, having been asked to comment on some export survey results for the EADT. The piece that doesn't come through clearly enough for me in what the various development agencies say is that international business is a global competition and we are in a race, like it or not. Exporting is a particular area where real-life, boots on the ground, got the t-shirt experience shared between members is invaluable in providing a legup in this competition. Finally, I want to mention our Annual Dinner, which we’re excited to be able to give details of in this issue. This is the County’s business social event of the year. I won’t spoil the surprise but will say this: make sure that 17 October is marked in your diary. We’re in for a treat! Hope to see you soon.
Luke Morris September 2013 IoD suffolk | autumn 2013 | 3
AUTUMN EVENTS
IoD Suffolk Annual Dinner
in association with Milsom Hotels and Restaurants
The IoD Suffolk Annual Dinner is the County’s premier black-tie business event. It’s your chance to entertain team members, clients or other guests, make new contacts and draw inspiration from a world-class speaker. 17 OCTOBER 2013 7.00pm – 11.30pm Le Talbooth, Gun Hill, Dedham, CO7 6HP IoD Members and their guests £60.00 (ex VAT) Non-members £65.00 (ex VAT) and £540.00 (ex VAT) for a table of 10. We are very pleased to be able to announce that this year our guest is Bob Champion MBE. For most of us, Bob needs little introduction. We remember him guiding Aldaniti to a fairytale win in the 1981 Grand National. Two years before, Bob had been diagnosed with testicular cancer and had gone through debilitating treatment and a lifethreatening bout of septicaemia. At one stage, he had been given just eight months to live.
After his retirement from racing in 1983, Bob formed the Bob Champion Cancer Trust. He has raised millions of pounds for research into the treatment and prevention of male cancers, much of it now undertaken at the Royal Marsden.
The victory was watched by an estimated 750 million people worldwide. The following day Bob put out a statement saying he’d ridden the race for all the patients and staff at the Royal Marsden in London, where he had been treated: “My only wish is that my winning shows them that there is always hope and that all battles can be won. I just hope it will encourage others to face their illness with fresh spirit.”
This year’s IoD Suffolk Dinner marks the start of what we hope will be a long and mutually beneficial association with Milsom Hotels and Restaurants. The Marquee at Le Talbooth provides a quintessential English setting in idyllic gardens beside the River Stour.
The win earned Bob and Aldaniti the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Team Award and Channel 4 named it one of the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments. The story was made into a film starring John Hurt.
IoD Annual Dinner kindly sponsored by:
4 | IoD suffolk | autumn 2013
Bob lives in Newmarket and also works to encourage young people to go into racing as a career. His is a great story and he tells it with all the drive and style that were typical of his time in the saddle.
You can make a night of it by staying at the nearby Maison Talbooth. This won Pride of Britain hotel of the year in 2010. There are 12 deluxe suites. Guests can enjoy the Day Spa, heated outdoor pool, hot tub and tennis court. In 2014, we plan to hold the Dinner at the newly refurbished Hangar at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall.
The day was sponsored by Ensors, Barker Gotelee, Pound Gates and Crafted. One delegate’s verdict: “Great keynote speakers, great conversations with fellow delegates, all round inspiring.”
Bob Champion MBE with Aldaniti, winner of the 1981 Grand National
Economic Outlook 25 SEPTEMBER 2013 7.30am – 9.30am The West Wing at Ickworth House, IP29 5QE IoD Members and their guests £27.50 (ex VAT) Non-members £41.50 (ex VAT) Is there light at the end of the tunnel? Or is that a locomotive heading in our direction? Graeme Leach, Chief Economist at the IoD will offer his perspective on the political and economic outlook. As well as being one of the country’s most respected economic gurus, Graeme can offer insights based on exclusive access to IoD survey findings. After a full English breakfast, there will be an interactive session and questions will be welcome.
Christmas Drinks Party
TECHNOLOGY CHANGE 20TH NOVEMBER 2013 7.30am – 9.30am Innovation Martlesham, Adastral Park, Martlesham, IP5 3RE IoD Members and their guests £27.50 (ex VAT) Non-members £41.50 (ex VAT) Chris Bilton, Director of Research and Technology at BT Martlesham will talk about technology change and its impact on business. He’ll also introduce Innovation Martlesham and explain how it fits within Adastral Park and its role in growing start-up businesses. Chris has been an IT professional for over 30 years, primarily in the Service Provider and Telecommunications sectors. He has a technical background and has led a number of large, international projects. He’s also managed business change programmes that have delivered
5 DECEMBER 2013 5.30pm – 7.00pm The Cookhouse Restaurant, The Suffolk Food Hall, Wherstead, IP9 2AB Free for IoD members and their guests. £10 (ex VAT) for non-members. significant benefits. He lives in Suffolk, is a keen runner and sings in a local choir. This is a rare opportunity to see more of what happens at BT Martlesham – a national centre of technological innovation in the heart of Suffolk.
BOOK YOUR EVENTS To book any of our events you have the following options:
Come and share some Christmas spirit with the Suffolk IoD committee and fellow IoD members at a beautiful new venue on the banks of the River Orwell. Arrive early and you could do a little Christmas shopping, too!
Our events programme is kindly sponsored by:
Book online at www.iod.com/suffolkevents Contact our Suffolk IoD branch administrator Caroline Kearney Telephone 07971 699498 or email caroline@iod-suffolk.co.uk Caroline will take credit card bookings or invoice your business. Use our booking form – Each of our events has a marketing leaflet with a booking form you can return by post. If you have not received a leaflet and would like to receive one please contact Caroline Kearney.
IoD suffolk | autumn 2013 | 5
OUT OF COUNTY CONFERENCING
Stoke Park, conferencing with character... Less than two hours from Ipswich – if the M25 is congestion-free – Stoke Park has long been recognised as one of the country’s leading locations for sport and hospitality.
John Penn (1760–1834), soldier, scholar and poet, is responsible for most of what can be seen at Stoke Park today. He created it using a large proportion of the £130,000 the new United States Government paid for his family's 26-million acre plot in Pennsylvania.
Suffolk provides businesses with a range of fantastic conferencing venues, but occasionally it’s necessary to go farther afield to host key events. One such venue of note is Stoke Park Country Club, Spa and Hotel, which offers first-class facilities across the board. Its history is fascinating, situated as it is within sight of Windsor Castle, the estate’s recorded history dates back over 1,000 years to before the 1086 Domesday Book. It was Britain’s first country club – opening in 1908 and now boasts a membership of more than 4,000. Encircling the club's 300-acre parkland estate is the famous 27-hole championship golf course, indisputedly one of the finest courses in the country. Created by eminent golf architect Harry Colt, the course has been the inspiration for many of the world’s most famous holes, including Augusta’s infamous 16th. The course itself has seen many impressive rounds in its history, including the first PGA Matchplay tournament in 1910 and James Bond's epic golfing duel in 'Goldfinger'! The facilities of the hotel are no less 6 | IoD suffolk | autumn 2013
impressive with rooms divided between the traditional sumptuously decorated Mansion – the original building that was created between 1790-1813 – and the modern Pavilion built in 2002, which houses the spa (11 treatment rooms), gymnasium and swimming pool together with the adjacent 13 tennis courts (six grass, four all-weather and three indoor!). All the bedrooms and suites have unbroken views over the estate and it’s this sense of privacy that really sets this venue apart. It’s difficult to describe the sense of space this venue offers; the positioning within its grounds afford much seclusion, making it perfect for meetings and corporate events. Stoke Park’s event management skills are second to none and the hotel can cater for everything from small and very private meetings to large training seminars and conferences, all set against a breathtaking backdrop. There are numerous options with each room offering a different style – from the extremely ornate to the modern. There are many options here, ranging from the grand Fountain Room (7.5m x 24.5m),
which has spectacular views of the terrace fountain and the gardens, to the intimate wood-panelled Chapel (7.2m x 4.6m). As you would expect, each room provides a professional, five-star atmosphere although pricing is sensibly structured with day delegate rates as little as £105 per person. Three restaurants provide the dining options with the 3AA Rosette Humphry’s being, without doubt, the most impressive with its floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the lake. The deliciously crafted dishes by head chef Chris Wheeler are made all the better by first-class attentive, but not over-bearing, service. In short, Stoke Park makes an impression. It manages that difficult thing – to take a beautiful country house venue and, with courteous efficiency, imbue it with an ambiance of luxury that doesn’t feel oppressive or outdated. A fantastic venue that every business should consider. Contact Stoke Park directly on Tel: 01753 717171 info@stokepark.com
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ACROSS THE REGION
Firms get their act together…
All aboard the ‘Brecks’ special
Barker Gotelee Solicitors will be sponsoring the Eastern Angles Christmas Show 2013 in conjunction with chartered accountants Ensors – regular supporters of the theatre company. The popular regional touring theatre company has blazed a trail across the East of England with its annual programme, including community tours of shows and plays to village halls and theatres. This year The Brontes of Dunwich Heath (& Cliff), a unique comic extravaganza, will be at the Sir John Mills and Seckford theatres over Christmas. Combining literature with laughs, the show is written and directed by Ivan Cutting, with music and lyrics by Simon Egerton. Complete with Mad Cath, Plain Jane and a panoply of off-the-wall characters, this is a musical Christmas caper you won’t want to miss.
A newly decorated ‘Brecks’ train has been launched by Dame Stella Rimington, former director general of MI5 and Brecks resident. Greater Anglia and The Brecks Partnership have ‘wrapped’ a class 170 train used on the Norwich to Cambridge route in enticing images to promote this little known, but fascinating area covering more than 1,000 sq km. Thousands of rail and car passengers pass through Breckland to better-known destinations, such as the Norfolk and Suffolk Coasts, Norwich and the Broads, not knowing what they are missing. The area extends from Castle Acre in the
Robert Hatch (Partner, Ensors), James Skellorn (Senior Partner, Barker Gotelee), Ivan Cutting (Writer & Director, Eastern Angles)
James Skellorn, senior partner at Barker Gotelee, said: “We know the production will be of the highest calibre, as always. We are keen to support and work with local talent and we look forward to supporting this festive performance.” Robert Hatch, senior partner at Ensors, added: “This will be Ensors’ 15th year supporting the Eastern Angles Christmas Show and we are really pleased to be welcoming Barker Gotelee to the ‘cast’. I am sure 2013 will be another sell-out year.”
Dame Stella said: “I first discovered the Brecks more than 20 years ago as a calm, friendly and beautiful place to relax at weekends and escape from the stress and hurly-burly of my job. Now I'm retired, I live here all the time and find it a great place to dream up plots for my novels. I've had to buy a bigger house to accommodate visitors – friends, children and grandchildren, who all love the walks, the history and, of course, the great food.”
Get your business off to a good start Budding entrepreneurs across the East of England will be able to gain first-hand advice from business experts at a special event in September. It is being presented courtesy of Virgin Media Pioneers, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and digital marketing agency High Position at the Weston Homes Stadium, Colchester, on September 18. The event is designed to chart a business from conception through development and into successful sales with everything a budding entrepreneur needs to know being covered in a relaxed, informative and interactive atmosphere. David Miles, Essex FSB chairman, said:
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north to just above Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket in the south and includes Thetford Forest with its miles of quiet tracks and paths to walk, cycle or ride a horse.
"If you've got a good idea, whether you're
Terry Heffernan Commercial Director of the High Position Group and a Virgin Media Ambassador
starting out or have an existing business, this event is for you." Experts will offer one-to-one advice as well as workshops and on-stage interviews to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurship. Topics include financing a business, how to get online and get noticed, PR and social media and getting the right professional support.
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For life, land and business
IoD suffolk | autumn 2013 | 9
ACROSS THE REGION
On course to help heroes Volvo dealerships across the UK will raise at least £21,000 towards the final amount, which last year saw £52,000 donated to the charity.
Halesworth Volvo dealership, M R King & Sons, joined forces with the town’s golf club to help raise thousands of pounds for Help for Heroes. As part of the Volvo National Golf Club Challenge – the UK’s largest amateur charity golf competition – the event was held at Halesworth Golf Club, sponsored by M R King & Sons.
General manager Julian King said: “The event has grown in stature and participation every year and indications already suggest 2013 will be the best year ever. This provided us with a fantastic opportunity to support our servicemen and women who have been injured in their duty as well as to remember those who have given their lives. We very much enjoyed the event and doing ‘our bit’ to raise money for a truly worthwhile cause.”
Seckford Hall Hotel strengthens its team Seckford Hall Hotel has made four new key appointments to help develop and strengthen the hotel’s growth. Richard Brown joins as business development manager, Anne Musolino as events co-ordinator and Ashley Durrant and Liam Oakenfull are promoted to head chefs.
Regional winners take part in the national final at Turnberry in Scotland with finalists travelling to the two-day event in style in vehicles on loan from Volvo.
New brand for brand experts
Richard’s business development role is seen as key to the hotel’s development. He has a wealth of experience in the hotel industry having managed 1,200 staff from 60 different countries.
Branding and design consultancy Silk Pearce is launching a two-year business development and growth plan with a complete corporate rebrand – the first in its 29-year history. The new visual identity, stationery, website and other promotional materials are designed to reflect better its market profile, client list and aspirations, while raising awareness of its three key design services – brands, websites and graphics. Jack Pearce, the consultancy’s creative head and co-founder, said: “The rebrand follows an in-depth strategic review that will see Silk Pearce adding new design and management roles, while 10 | IoD suffolk | autumn 2013
strengthening our client list in key growth sectors such as healthcare, technology and property development. “Our bolder, more confident look has been designed to remind existing clients and prospects that we offer a far-reaching and integrated design approach – as we have done for many years – covering everything from corporate and product branding, in some cases advising on product development through to PR and social media.” The new identity is centred on a typographic logo with teal blue as a primary colour, a pallet of eight accent colours and new typography.
Anne worked at the hotel seven years ago before joining Otley College. She then worked for the Milsoms group at Kesgrave Hall before becoming weddings and events manager at the White Lion Hotel in Aldeburgh. Ashley and Liam have been at Seckford Hall for a number of years. Ipswich born and bred, Ashley studied at Suffolk College before working at The Moat House, Copdock, and Hintlesham Hall. A keen golfer, he has represented Suffolk. Liam originally joined Seckford Hall from The Tower and Ritz hotels in London. He then pursued a career as a private chef before taking on roles as sous chef at Belstead Brook Hotel and at Ipswich Town Football club. He also worked in Cyprus.
PROTECTING THE DIRECTOR
DIRECTORS’ DISQUALIFICATION: NEW PROPOSALS UNDER CONSIDERATION In Vince Cable’s July 2013 speech to the “Responsible Capitalism” conference hosted by the thinktank Reform, the Business Secretary announced a number of proposals being considered as part of a major consultation on the rules surrounding delinquent company directors. Dr Cable made it clear that the Government does not wish to punish honest failure – as he said: “Some of the best entrepreneurs have failures to their name, and this is the necessary corollary of risk taking”. Instead, his focus is on the “rogues” who use so-called ‘phoenix companies’ to deceive customers. One of his proposals concerns disqualified directors being required to undertake some form of education before they can go on to run another business. It has always struck me how easy it is for someone to be a company director without the need for any formal qualifications or training. Navigating the complex web of legislation and case law surrounding corporate governance is not easy, even for those whose role it is to advise on such matters. Therefore, this proposal must surely be welcomed. Another proposal suggests the courts may be given powers to make financial awards against directors they are disqualifying to compensate creditors who have suffered as a result of their actions. As Dr Cable put it: “This would hit directors where it hurts
Contact Kevin Sullivan Birkett Long LLP 01206 217376 kevin.sullivan@birkettlong.co.uk
and provide more direct accountability to those affected by misconduct”. Currently, it is not uncommon for administrators and liquidators to bring civil recovery actions against directors riding off the back of a disqualification where the allegations in the two sets of proceedings are the same or similar. But arguably this proposal will make it easier – and at less cost to the creditors – for compensation to be awarded against culpable directors. His other key proposal concerns those directors who have been disqualified in another country or convicted of a crime associated with managing a company overseas. Dr Cable argued that there is a legitimate
question over whether they should be allowed to be a director in the UK. This too seems entirely sensible. Dr Cable recognised that these robust powers should only be used in appropriate cases, so that “honest directors need not fear sanctions where they have acted in good faith”. He added: “Many companies fail for genuine reasons…and failure in itself is not an indication of misconduct”. The Government is keen right now to promote “trust and transparency” in the business environment. So there is little doubt that these proposals – and maybe others still to be conceived – will reach the statute book in the near future. Make sure you are aware of how they may impact on you – and, as ever, seek advice if you are unsure. Kevin Sullivan specialises in acting for directors, particularly those facing disqualification proceedings.
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12 | IoD suffolk | autumn 2013
PR & MARKETING
Your website - winning you new business Would you drive to a business meeting with a new client without using Satnav, to find the company’s offices?
A strong and clear message In order to have a successful and engaging website, it should have a strong and clear message with a clean, uncluttered page layout.
For the majority of us this would be unthinkable. The same should apply to your company’s website. It should provide your customers with easy and clear navigation to the information they need.
Clear easy-to-use navigation Think through your web pages’ structure so that it all makes sense in a logical flow. That way, when customers visit your website, they will have an easier time navigating to the information that is most relevant to them.
A powerful website is critical to promoting your reputation and winning new customers to ensure you stand out from your competitors.
Future proof your website Future proofing is important, going for latest web design techniques, including css3, html5, and j Query.
Your website is often a potential customer’s first impression of your business. So it’s important to make it count.
Cost As well as gaining a competitive price for a professional service, negotiate for hosting service and domain names to be included in package prices.
Everything sends a message – so send the right message. Here are some guidelines when briefing your designer:
Say it with style A website for a professional company
Ripple Public Relations Ltd’s latest website was designed and built for the Target Clean Group, a Framlingham based commercial cleaning company with 27 employees (www.targetclean.co.uk). Ripple’s website designer Andrew Howard holds a BSc (hons) degree in computer science.
should avoid a template design and should be unique to your business and the customers you want to win. Consider the qualifications of the web designer, create a design with consistent colour schemes and professional branding. Engage a professional copy writer and a professional photographer, or if on a budget, purchase high quality stock photography. At Ripple, we know that every client is different and we will work with you to create the right website for you so that your story is told, and told well. To find out more contact: Ripple Public Relations Ltd 01379 678662 or john@ripplepr.co.uk www.ripplepr.co.uk
IoD suffolk | autumn 2013 | 13
PREVIOUS IOD SUFFOLK EVENTS
Fine wines please the palate Bury St Edmunds wine merchants, Thos. Peatling, were our hosts for a fascinating evening of tutored tastings in June. Director Nicholas Corke led the way with an intriguing selection of personal favourites. Mark Thompson of Moet and Chandon talked about the differences between vintage and non-vintage champagne and explained the best ways to store wine. Christina Torres of the world-famous wine dynasty introduced her new Californian wines. “It was a fabulous evening,” said Luke Morris, IoD Suffolk Chairman and Partner, Larking and Gowen. “Everyone enjoyed the tutorials, the networking and, of course, the tastings. I’m very grateful to Nicholas Corke and his team.” Thos. Peatling specialise in importing interesting and unusual wines from estates worldwide. Many of their wines are on sale for the first time in the UK. In their substantial cellar they also hold a number of vintage wines and can usually supply bottles from particular years for anniversaries. They provide special services for external events and work with a number of restaurateurs and hoteliers.
Left to right are Christina Torres, Torres Family Wines; Nicholas Corke, Thos. Peatling; Luke Morris, Larking Gowen and IoD Suffolk Chairman; Dave Collins, Poundgates; Steve Schofield, Crafted; Robert Hatch, Ensors; Bernie Mills, Crafted.
The business was started by Thomas Peatling, a Bury St Edmunds man, in 1826. It remained independent until 1934 when it became part of Greene King. For a number of years it traded as Peatling
and Cawdron. Nicholas Corke led a management buy-out in 2000, returning the business to independent, family ownership. It now has active plans for expansion within Bury St Edmunds.
Lighting the way Energy has long been an important part of the Suffolk business scene but now, with plans to develop Sizewell and the growth of offshore wind-power, it’s becoming absolutely central. To keep members upto-date with developments, in July, Suffolk IoD hosted a breakfast briefing from the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR). EEEGR is a non-profit, business-led group committed to the sustained development of the energy sector in our region.
Simon Gray (Left) and Luke Morris
Members operate in a range of energy sectors including oil, gas, wind, wave and tidal, bio-energy and nuclear plus carbon capture and storage, distribution, transmission and conventional generation. EEEGR CEO Simon Gray presented the briefing at Seckford Hall near Woodbridge. Delegates were impressed by the scale of the business within Suffolk and Norfolk and the pace of its growth. Mr Gray urged the government to do more to help local energy businesses and warned
14 | IoD suffolk | autumn 2013
of the real risk of energy shortages unless new sources were brought on-stream. East Anglia is home to the most diverse range of energy businesses in the UK. It has a long heritage in offshore gas, conventional and nuclear generation and is leading the way on newer technologies such as offshore wind. In total, the sector supports over 100,000 jobs in the Eastern Region and is responsible for more than £13 billion pounds in turnover. Luke Morris, IoD Suffolk Chairman and Partner, Larking and Gowen said: “I learned a lot. We all know energy is important but Simon explained very clearly just how important it now is for Suffolk. Every business in the county needs to be aware of the big changes underway. This is a sector that is going to loom large for the rest of our working lives. We will do our best to make sure Suffolk IoD members are kept right up-todate with all the key developments.”
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS
Christmas at milsoms Kesgrave Hall Autumn is here and soon it will be time to think of Christmas and celebrating with friends, family and business colleagues. Relax, Kesgrave Hall can help and take care of everything! For smaller parties at lunchtime or in the evening, you can book either The Mess or The Bunker which are perfect for groups from 12 to 24. Both rooms have individual three course menus to choose from, The Mess has an extra special Showcase Menu and yes, turkey is an option if you want it. Don’t forget, the restaurant is also open all day and there’s no need to book, perfect for late lunch after Christmas shopping or a morning in the office.
As you would expect from Kesgrave Hall, head chef Stuart Oliver has devised a delicious three course Christmas menu (with choices) for you to enjoy. The evening starts at 7.00pm with a glass of sparkling wine followed by a three course dinner and coffee before dancing
the night away to Frisky, a live band. The dates are Saturday 7, Friday 13, Saturday 14, Friday 20 and Saturday 21 December. Give us a call on 01473 333741 and join us to make Christmas 2013 the best ever!
And if you’re looking for a big party with dancing to a live band then we have the perfect solution in The Hangar. The area will be transformed into a winter wonderland with Christmas trees and twinkling lights, bar and reception area.
IoD suffolk | autumn 2013 | 15
SKILLS
Tomorrow’s workforce: where to find the talent Every business wants to grow and one of the best ways is by bringing in new people with fresh ideas. But with a skills shortage in the region, where are we going to find them? Iain Dunnett, New Anglia LEP’s operations manager, talks to Jane Chittenden. JC: We’ve got lots of talented young people in Suffolk; we’ve got excellent colleges and universities. But so many businesses in all sectors across the region say they are struggling to get the skilled people they need. Why have we got this skills shortage? ID: I’m working with businesses across nine sectors – ranging from ICT to food
16 | IoD suffolk | autumn 2013
and farming - and there’s a really key message from them all: that triangle between employers, training providers and the potential employees doesn’t add up. The training providers are pushing people out of the door who haven’t got quite the skills that businesses want. The training providers say to us: “If only businesses would work a bit closer with us and would invest in training and skills
a bit more.” And then you’ve got the hapless individual – the potential employee – who’s got the wrong skills and doesn’t get the job. That’s what we’re hearing across all the sectors. Energy is the obvious one: they need electrical and mechanical engineers and they can’t get them. For various reasons it’s disjointed. Colleges do what
NEW ANGLIA LEP’S LOCAL SKILLS SUMMITS Shaping a coordinated skills strategy: • Jobs, innovation, growth and leading in global markets – what are the skills that businesses require to drive success? • Future generations – what knowledge and skills will they need for employability and how best should New Anglia LEP lead the way? Ideas, experience and expertise are welcomed from across the public and private sectors. they’re funded to do; but is that turning out people with the right skills for local employers? Quite often it isn’t. And historically businesses as employers aren’t close to education and careers advice, although some are very good. There’s got to be a much closer relationship. Are things better, worse or the same as a year ago? We haven’t moved as far as we would like to. Our skills summits this autumn are to try to push the message that we must move at a faster pace. Unless skills are addressed now, we’re storing up problems for the future. And this is the right time to move forward. We’ve got the opportunity with the City Deal (government funding) for Greater Ipswich to give business a much stronger voice in the workforce skills agenda; and there’s the government’s ‘single pot’ fund. The different mechanisms are coming together; together we’ve got the chance to really influence things and do things differently. Tell me more about the skills summits. As a LEP, we need a bit of pace in taking
Do schools understand business needs? Many employers will have, at some point, questioned whether or not young people are learning the skills necessary to operate in a modern work environment. Communication, responsibility, initiative and teamwork - all fundamental skills but increasing considered to be lacking in the employees of tomorrow. But times are changing. Suffolk County Council’s Raising the Bar programme – launched to improve educational
the skills agenda forward. The skills summits will create that pace, bringing the right people together (businesses, schools, colleges, sector specialists and policymakers), creating a focus on what we’re going to do and how we’re going to do it. The Chambers of Commerce and other business networks will be helping us to spread the message. The aim is to get all the partners working together; until now it’s been quite fragmented. Making that training/business/potential employees triangle work will be the key focus of these summits. Whatever the sector – energy or agriculture or whatever – it needs to happen fairly rapidly in the next couple of years or we will lag behind in having a skilled workforce. And that will ultimately affect growth and business in this area. SMEs are really busy; they’ll say: “We haven’t got time. Why should we get involved?” Whether you’re an SME or a large company, this is about the future economy of our region – which we should all be interested in. It’s good for current business; it’s good for future business. So
Suffolk: everyone get involved, Monday should 16 September 6pm –whether 9pm, University Campus Suffolk, Ipswich Norfolk: Monday 23 September 6pm – 9pm, Norwich City Football Club, Norwich. To register, please visit: www.newanglia.co.uk/Events/NewAnglia-Skills-Summits
they come along to the skills summits or contribute via webinars and social media. We’re shaping the strategy for investing in the next generation of people who will be working for you or people who are bringing business to you in the supply chain. You can’t get away from the fact that everyone’s linked up; it doesn’t matter whether you’re a small rural business or a global corporate operating here: it’s important for everyone. A highly skilled, highly motivated workforce will be our greatest asset.
attainment and employability in the county – has teamed up with business leaders to create stronger links between the workplace and the classroom so that young people gain a better understanding from an earlier age.
Alongside this, the county council is working to broker new relationships between businesses of all sizes and schools – connections that are often desired on both sides but are too frequently difficult to create.
In particular, a new framework has been drawn up by employers and education leaders that spells out clearly what skills and attitudes are needed in today’s employment market. As a pilot, schools in four areas of Suffolk will be teaching these skills, supported by employers in the classroom. If successful, the programme could be rolled out across Suffolk.
Employers are able to promote working in their industries while young people get to learn from great new role models. To learn more about the framework, how your business can become more involved or how you could become a role model yourself, email Andrea Davies at andrea.davies@suffolk.gov.uk
IoD suffolk | autumn 2013 | 17
A WORD FROM THE ACCOUNTANTS
Reporting greenhouse gases—burden or benefit? Carbon reporting is set to become mandatory for all UK companies listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange with effect from October 2013. The reporting will come into force for years ending on or after 30 September 2013 and is being driven by a requirement from the Climate Change Act 2008, which targets reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80% by 2050. What will need reporting? The GHG protocol splits emissions into ‘scopes’ for reporting purposes: • Scope 1 accounts for direct GHG emissions which result from activities that are owned or controlled by the organisation (e.g. the production of electricity, transportation); and • Scope 2 accounts for indirect GHG emissions which result from the import (purchase) of electricity, heat or steam. The GHG protocol extends to a third scope which covers all other indirect GHG emissions that result from sources not owned or controlled by the organisation
(e.g. employee business travel, outsourced activities). The legislation will, however, only require that scopes 1 and 2 of emissions are reported on. What does this actually mean for those companies? Some companies will see a significant increase in the information to be reported in the Director’s Report; in fact, a significant proportion of quoted companies do not currently report on carbon to any extent. Organisations are expected to benefit from “lower energy and resource costs; gain a better understanding of exposure to the risks of climate change; and demonstrate leadership.� In reality, whilst those that already measure GHG as a management tool will see some benefit to the new legislation, other, perhaps smaller quoted companies, will see this as
Steven Burgess
nothing more than red tape, adding little benefit and creating a burden on key resources such as time and finances. Who else might be affected? Whilst there is currently no requirement for privately owned businesses to report on their carbon footprint, this might be something that the Government looks at changing at some point in the future. We are currently working with clients on this legislation. More awareness of GHG emissions will certainly be required if government targets are to be met. For more information on how we can help, please contact Steven Burgess on 01473 833411 or at steven.burgess@larking-gowen.co.uk
This article is designed for the information of readers. Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, information contained in this article may not be comprehensive and recipients should not act upon it without seeking professional advice. Larking Gowen is registered to carry out audit work in the UK and Ireland by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Regulated for a range of investment business activities by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. ŠLarking Gowen.
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ONLINE LEARNING
MOOCs – the online revolution in higher education MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) could bring the world’s best university teaching to everyone, anywhere, any time - for free. But will the concept catch on? We investigate how higher education is being transformed. MOOCs cover a huge range of subjects, from the classic academic topics through to business and technology, which can be accessed by thousands of participants at the same time – so they’re massive. Anyone can join in, for free, without entry qualifications, so they’re open. They’re delivered online over the Internet and use social media to connect participants online. And they’re proper university courses, presented in lectures, online seminars and assignments.
afford to connect everyone in the world to a great education.” They offer courses in the humanities, medicine, sciences, maths, business and IT. The courses are free; there are plans to charge for providing certificates as proof of study to employers.
The great advantage of MOOCs, apart from their top quality course content and nil cost, is their convenience. Students can fit learning around their working lives and learn at a pace to suit their individual learning style. These are not just for university students; they provide opportunities to improve a CV, develop career prospects, expand knowledge or learn more about a topic that is of interest to an individual.
Udacity is another MOOC offer originating in Stanford, which actively seeks corporate involvement and sponsorship. It’s already collaborating with companies such as Google and AT&T. Udacity’s founder and CEO Sebastian Thrun explains: “We are reinventing education for the 21st century by bridging the gap between real-world skills, relevant education, and employment. … By keeping education meaningful and modern with the latest technologies and skills, we hope to advance both education and career opportunities for our students.”
Could this concept change the way we access higher education as much as MP3 for music and Amazon for books, but free of charge?
Udacity’s main offers are computer programming and software design. Course materials are free; students pay for tuition.
That’s what the pioneers of MOOCS hope. Their vision is that anyone in the world can have access to the best professors from the best universities, all for free. The idea for MOOCs started in the top US universities, which have been collaborating to make their courses available to everyone.
EdX is a not-for-profit platform established by Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), bringing together universities worldwide. It offers MOOCs in subjects including history, law, science, engineering, IT and business.
Coursera is an education company set up by Stanford University computer science professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller. They say: “The technology that allows one professor to teach not just one student but 100,000 really changes the economics of higher education… we can
In the UK, the Open University is building on its 40-plus years of experience in distance learning to collaborate with 21 UK universities, two international partners and the expertise of the British Library, the British Museum and the British Council. They’re offering MOOCs through FutureLearn, starting this autumn.
WHAT IS A MOOC? MOOC stands for massive open online course. It is an online course aimed at largescale participation and open access via the Internet They are similar to university courses, but do not tend to offer academic credits A number of web-based platforms supported by top universities and colleges offer MOOCs in a wide range of subjects. Coursera: www.coursera.org Udacity: www.udacity.com EdX: www.edx.org FutureLearn: www.futurelearn.com
According to the FT: “The way to understand this revolution is to think about MOOC platforms – such as Coursera and edX in the US, and the UK’s FutureLearn – as the iTunes of higher education.” Will the MOOC revolution catch on? There’s no doubt about the quality of the course content, but there are some doubts about whether the business models can be sustained. It looks as if all providers are agreed on providing course material for free; some have plans for charging for certificates or tuition; and some are starting to license their material to other universities, to enhance their conventional courses. Whatever the future of MOOCs, there are some great opportunities for everyone to dip in and learn for free. IoD suffolk | autumn 2013 | 21
SOCIAL MEDIA
Blogging for your business: Why blog? Blogging has been around for nearly 20 years and was originally used to provide a unique way for people to share thoughts, feelings, experiences and opinions. Things have changed, however, and companies of all sizes have realised the business benefits of blogging. Organisations from FTSE 100 companies to sole traders use blogs and other digital methods, such as email marketing, to increase their digital presence and, consequently, their bottom line.
Research by Hubspot found that from 2009 to 2011 the percentage of businesses with a blog grew from 48% to 65%. In reality, if your business does not have a blog that is frequently updated you are missing an opportunity to increase your online presence. Gone are the days when the company blog was seen as a ‘nice to have’. They now form a crucial element of a business’s social media and search optimisation strategy. In order to drive traffic to your website – and to increase sales – your online presence must be more powerful than that of your competitors. When a potential customer searches for a professional or business in your industry you want your name to come near the top of the list not at the bottom of page 10. This is done through effective search engine optimisation. Google and other search engines such as Yahoo no longer solely use keywords to determine where your company should appear on their search pages. They now use advanced algorithms to assess how frequently you post and update your website and the quality of the content you post. This may seem daunting but a blog linked to your website is an excellent way to add relevant content quickly and easily.
What to include
How to manage your blog
Your blog should include some, if not all, of the following essential elements:
To manage your blog you need a content management system (CMS). This allows the publishing and editing of content to your site without the need to know any coding. There are many different options when deciding on a CMS, with our personal favourite being WordPress.
● Descriptive titles – make sure your posts come up in readers’ searches by using keywords that are as descriptive and direct as possible. ● About section – gives readers the opportunity to learn more about your business. ● Contact information – email and physical addresses give readers multiple ways to contact you and will provide legitimacy to your blog. ● Links to social media pages – your blog must be a key part of your digital strategy. Use your blog as a vehicle for building fans on Facebook, connections on LinkedIn and followers on Twitter by including links to your social media pages on every page of your blog. ● Email subscription – if you use email marketing then include an email subscription form on the blog. This will enable you to compile a database of readers, who you can effortlessly notify of new blog posts and special offers. ● Search function – as you continue to post and increase the amount of your content you will want to make sure you give readers a chance to find posts quickly on specific topics by including a search function. ● Categories and subcategories – help readers identify all your posts regarding specific topics. ● Relevant links – to other blogs or websites that you think your readers will find useful.
22 | IoD suffolk | autumn 2013
Adding your blog to your website rather than having a separate site for it benefits you by reinforcing your brand and also helps build backlinks to your website throughout the web from people sharing your content. The more backlinks you have to your website the better it is for your search engine rankings. Integrating your blog into your website also keeps things simple in that you have to maintain only one website. Your website is the heart of your online marketing and is a valuable asset. It doesn’t make good business sense to send people somewhere else to read your articles. Rubious is a web design and marketing agency in Ipswich, Suffolk. www.rubious.co.uk 01473 356403 www.twitter.com/rubious www.facebook.com/rubious
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IoD suffolk | autumn 2013 | 23
MOTORING REVIEW - VOLVO V60 D2
Versatile, dynamic and even more elegant... While Volvo has always had a reputation for building usefully large estates, the V60 breaks with that tradition. It's arguably the most distinctive and sleek car Volvo has built in recent years.
You might imagine, from the picture above, that the Volvo V60 sports wagon with its coupé-like design is a rather snarly sort of thing. Well, that's what happens if you take a Volvo V60, put the R-Design bodykit that includes stylish silver matt mirrors, unique rear exhaust pipes, together with those menacing 5-spoke Diamond Cut 18" alloy wheels on it. Festooned thus, the V60 looks tremendous, but it's about as snarly as a week-old kitten. That's because it has the least powerful engine in the range - the 115 bhp 1.6-litre turbo diesel which Volvo designates D2. And really, I'm not too fussed about that, because in normal everyday driving it is as quick as it needs to be. Moderate application of the accelerator gives a decent burst of acceleration, just as it should do in a good turbo diesel. It's only when you want more performance - if you try to go for a quick overtake, for example - that you may realise you're already using nearly as much performance as the car can offer. You 24 | IoD suffolk | autumn 2013
learn from this, and you plan accordingly in future. Although, that said, Volvo offers a host of other engine sizes all the way up to 304 bhp for the T6 which does give you snarl - add a Polestar software upgrade and you add further to your experience. I would in any case trade the lack of overall grunt for its fantastic fuel economy. On the EU combined cycle this amounts to 68.9mpg, which would be very difficult to achieve in real life, but according to the trip computer I managed 53mpg - an impressive figure for a car of this size, I thought. The excellent fuel economy and the correspondingly low 108g/km CO2 emissions which make the car free of road tax in the first year and £30 in subsequent years - and it attracts a meagre 16% BIK rate - are possibly the best things about the car. I say "possibly" because, in typical Volvo fashion, the V60 features a host of genuinely useful safety systems including Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake. Much has been made by Volvo of the car’s
load carrying capabilities, and it’s true that, for a medium-sized estate car, it's not extravagantly roomy – although luggage volume of 557 litres with the rear seats up and 1241 litres when they're folded isn't what you might call bad. The rear seats can be folded down in three 40/20/40 segments, so that the rear 430 litres of load space can be supplemented quickly and easily. In reality the V60 is more about style than practicality, and that people even in a business context don't carry heavy loads as often as they used to; indeed, if you really want more interior space there are always the V70, XC70, XC60 or XC90 available. With its 53mpg fuel consumption the V60 could have hung around in our business for another week or two without any complaint from me! To arrange a test drive contact Adam Noble at M.R.King & Sons, 46 Quay Street, Halesworth IP19 8EY T: 01986 874464 E: sales@mrking.co.uk www.mrking.co.uk
SARTORIAL STYLE
The Perfect Fit
picture requires a small frame – just as a smaller man with delicate features requires a collar of restrained dimensions, and vice versa.
Only one man in a hundred is likely to step into a ready made suit and find that it needs no alterations. An old tailor once said: “Compromise on quality if you must, never proportion.” A suit is not a purchase to be taken lightly or quickly. Each body shape is entirely unique and when trying on a suit, there are certain elements of each component that must be taken into account.
It is seen to be the sign of a well turnedout man to have a shirt cuff between jacket sleeve and hand. It used to be said that a jacket sleeve without a bit of visible shirt cuff below made the hand appear as if part of it were missing!
Let’s start with the jacket. The perfect jacket length is just long enough to cover the curvature of the buttocks, whilst giving the leg as long a line as possible. It’s quite normal for a jacket to be longer at the front than at the back, in order to hang properly. The bottom of the jacket should line up with the thumb knuckle and when the waist button of a coat is fastened, it should divide the body so that the torso and legs appear at maximum length. The sleeves of the jacket should never flap around the wrist – not only does this lack smartness but also gives an illusion of heft.
Moving downwards, the suit trousers should extend the line of the jacket. Fuller-chested jackets require fuller-cut trousers; just as more fitted jackets require slimmer-fitting trousers. It’s imperative that suit trousers should be worn on the waist, not on the hip. The trouser crease should also intersect the middle of the knee and bisect the middle of the shoe. The choice of a dress shirt should always be guided first and foremost by the appropriateness of its collar shape to that of the wearer’s face. Think of the face as a picture and the collar as its frame. A small
Finishing off a suit, although not always deemed a necessity in recent years, is the necktie. A tie’s correct width has always been determined by the jacket’s lapel. A man with narrow shoulders has less chest to drape a lapel across, therefore the lapel’s dimensions dictates that the tie width should follow suit (ha, pun!). A broad-shouldered man requires a more generous lapel and thus a larger-scaled necktie. And finally, when trying on a suit, it’s generally a good idea to ensure you have your wallet in your pocket, and your keys and mobile phone in their normal locations so you can see exactly how these items will sit once the suit is purchased. With the opening statement in mind, that is precisely why at Coes, we offer a free basic tailoring service on all of our suits. So that you can feel confident that you’re wearing the suit, the suit isn’t wearing you. William Coe, Coes of Ipswich t: +44 (0) 1473 256061 e: info@coes.co.uk
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IoD suffolk | autumn 2013 | 25
URBAN SMALL BUSINESS
City-based small businesses: are some cities more equal than others? Regional economies depend on the success of their SMEs for growth – but are some cities better placed than others? And how much does that affect an SME’s chances of prosperity? Jane Chittenden looks at a new report from Centre for Cities: Small Business Outlook 2013.
SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) make up 99% of all businesses in UK cities and provide more than half of all the private sector jobs. They’re increasingly important for growth across a regional economy. But how much is an SME affected by the city where it does business? New research from Centre for Cities shows that different cities have an enormous impact on an SME’s ability to thrive – and not always in ways that might be expected. I’m looking at what this means for the three main cities in our region: Cambridge, Ipswich and Norwich (Centre for Cities regards large towns such as Ipswich as cities).
Numbers of SMEs and their growth rate Cities provide ready access to skilled workers, markets and suppliers, which is why most high growth SMEs are based in cities. A city’s prosperity depends on the strength of its local SMEs: large numbers of SMEs means low unemployment. Cambridge ranks 7/64, reflecting a very high density of knowledge-based industries. Norwich is close behind; but Ipswich is around the average for the UK. New business start-ups across the UK were acutely affected by the recession; however, Cambridge has had more start-
26 | IoD suffolk | autumn 2013
ups than most cities last year. New business start-ups in Ipswich and Norwich were within the mid-range. Strong performing SMEs have increased their workforces. Cambridge’s SMEs were second only to London; Ipswich’s SME expansion was also very strong. Norwich SMEs achieved average rates of expansion. And very few of Cambridge’s and Ipswich’s SMEs reduced their workforces; Norwich also performed well.
Access to workforce capacity and skills People are essential to business: a strong labour market locally is a key indicator of success. And population growth means more access to workers plus more customers for local businesses. Ipswich has one of the fastest-growing populations in the UK, ranked at 4/64; Cambridge takes the next place, whereas Norwich – although last year among the top ten fastest-growing cities – is now near the average. It’s a very different picture when looking at the educational qualifications of local residents. This is a significant indicator: a more highly skilled workforce means stronger performing SMEs. Not surprisingly, Cambridge scores very high indeed, taking second place after Oxford; Norwich does well; but Ipswich’s achievement is among the lowest: 60/64.
All SMEs report a gap between the skills they need and the skills that are available to them. Skills gaps don’t necessarily reflect a city’s skills profile – they could indicate unusually high demand for a particular skill. Cambridge has very few problems in filling its skills shortages, Norwich is able to find most of the people it needs, but Ipswich struggles in comparison.
Affordability Affordability of commercial premises is a big problem nationwide. According to the LSE (London School of Economics) office space in the UK is in general prohibitively expensive; business space in Birmingham is more expensive than New York. Cambridge is one of the most expensive cities in the UK for business premises, second only to London. Norwich is relatively expensive; Ipswich prices are average. High house prices indicate strong SME economies and high demand – but this could affect their ability to attract skilled workers because of the impact on their disposable income. This is particularly problematic for Cambridge, with very high prices and strong demand for housing that outstrips supply, but it’s also an issue for both Ipswich and Norwich, with house prices much higher than the national average.
Barriers: red tape, connectivity and dependence on local market Speed of planning decisions affects businesses’ ability to start up and expand. Planning decisions are much speedier than the average in Ipswich and Norwich, but Cambridge is one of the worst places in the country for delays in planning decisions. Digital connectivity (access to superfast broadband) is an essential component of modern business infrastructure – and a cause of major frustration across the region. In Cambridge, connectivity is excellent, second only to London; Ipswich is also well connected. But Norwich suffers one
of the lowest levels of access (it’s even worse in rural areas, of course).
Conclusion
Local demand for goods and services is important for many SMEs (over half of them operate in their local markets), so disposable income locally is an important factor. If local incomes are low, SMEs need to look for markets further afield.
What do these figures mean for our three cities? Clearly their priorities are different – for example, more affordable housing and commercial property in Cambridge, improved educational performance for Ipswich and better access to broadband for Norwich.
Cambridge, the city with least dependency on local markets (many of its SMEs operate in global markets) has residents with very high earnings but this has to be set against its exceptionally high housing prices. Norwich citizens earn considerably below the national average; Ipswich figures are even lower.
Every city is unique, but for all cities, three factors are very important: access to a skilled workforce, quality of place (an attractive place to live and work), and dealing with the barriers to progress, such as red tape and poor connectivity.
Centre for Cities is an independent non-partisan research organisation that aims to understand why and how cities’ economies succeed. It focused on the 64 largest towns and cities in the UK. The latest research can be seen here: www.centreforcities.org/research/businessoutlook13.html
IoD suffolk | autumn 2013 | 27
LEISURE
Motivating your staff The recent news headlines have been encouraging – unemployment down, the building industry beginning to thrive, house prices increasing – there certainly seems to be more optimism than there has been for a few years. What are you or your company doing to develop this confidence in a recovery? There will have been casualties within every industry but the businesses that have been able to re-structure, downsize, change or reduce contracts will be the ones that are now coming out of the recession leaner, fitter and stronger for the process. Stuart Robertson PGA Golf Professional and Director of Golf Ufford Park Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1QW 01394 382836 www.doctorgolf.co.uk www.uffordpark.co.uk mail@doctorgolf.co.uk #doctorgolf247
Within the golf industry, as with many other leisure businesses, it has been an extremely difficult few years as these type of sectors are after the discretionary spend of its customers.
I would certainly suggest that as an employer you should find out what each member of your staff is ‘into’ and then try to fulfil some of their wishes by having a bonus scheme that can help this to come to fruition. There is certainly a better feeling around these industries that the worst is over and the better times will be returning soon. If you need help in creating hotel, golf tuition or spa packages that may inspire your workforce please contact me.
It has been noticeable that those businesses or individuals that have
Dining at Hintlesham Hall Two course lunch and coffee £18.00 per person Three course lunch and coffee £23.50 per person
Available Monday – Saturday
Sunday Lunch Two course lunch, coffee and chocolate truffles £19.50 per person Three course lunch, coffee and chocolate truffles £25.50 per person A La Carte A La Carte menu available for lunch and dinner seven days a week (excluding Sunday lunch time)
For reservations please telephone 01473 652334 www.hintleshamhall.com email: reservations@hintleshamhall.com
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continued to invest in their staff or themselves have come through these years in better shape. Allowing your staff to join a gym, play a round of golf, enjoy a golf clinic, have a pamper day at a spa are all experiences that can help staff feel motivated and improve their self worth. This can have a very positive influence on the working environment for all staff under your employment.
Meetings at Hintlesham Hall • Whether you wish to hold an important seminar, or a private banquet, Hintlesham Hall is the perfect choice for any event.
• The Hall’s four individually styled
conference rooms can comfortably accommodate an intimate board meeting for four delegates, up to a larger gathering of 80 delegates theatre style.
• Outdoor space for team building. • 33 individually designed, luxuriously furnished bedrooms.
• Exceptional twenty-four hour and eight hour delegate rates available.
Are you looking for a new venue to hold your office Christmas party this year? Then look no further..! Ipswich Sports Club is one of Suffolk’s best kept secrets; the club is set in idyllic grounds just north of the town centre on Henley Road, in the central IP1 postcode area. We can accommodate a range of parties and functions from business meetings, corporate events, party celebrations and much more. The club has ample free car parking, a good sized function room (seating up to 50) and fully licensed bar. Our delicious Christmas menu has been created by Head Chef, Justin, and his team from The Courtside Bistro and includes dishes such as: Pan seared breast of pigeon with crisp pancetta and a raspberry dressing Slow roasted Dingley Dell pork belly, creamed Savoy cabbage, mashed potato, apple purée, and cider jus We look forward to welcoming you; for further details and to book, contact our Functions Co-ordinator on functions@ipswichsports.co.uk or call 01473 251143.
Enjoy fresh air, not hot air at Coopers Country Team-build, entertain clients, or simply celebrate with staff in a discreet yet rewarding way at our interesting, rural venue. Our clay-shooting packages are fun and informative. For some, it’s an opportunity to try something new; for others, the chance to improve their skills.
Business Blast packages include exclusive use of our venue and meeting room facilities as required, refreshments, tuition, use of shotguns, other equipment as necessary and 50 clays and cartridges each. And you can also add lunch or dinner, at our intriguing Sporting Lodge.
• Suitable for parties from 4 to 40 • From £40 per person
IoD suffolk | autumn 2013 | 29
ENERGY NEWS
FREE RENEWABLE ENERGY ADVICE Chris Oliver, Finance Director for Sackers said “We recommend SABRE to anyone considering installing a renewable technology or who is trying to work out what their resource efficiency options are. Their information gave a lot of comfort in knowing we were dealing with people who knew the market, and their impartial advice was great to receive” SABRE (Support and Advice to Businesses around Renewable Energy) is offering FREE renewable energy advice to small and medium-sized enterprises in Suffolk. The support is impartial and independent and includes advice on the investment opportunities created by Feed-in Tariffs and the Renewable Heat Incentive. Sackers Recycling, who were recently named Business of the Year at the EADT Business Awards, was the first business to take advantage of the SABRE project, successfully installing a 50kW Solar PV system at their site in Great Blakenham at a cost of £76,000. Payback for the installation will be between 9-14 years, with cost savings after payback returning £2,620 pa, as well as CO2 savings of 21.32 tonnes CO2 pa.
John Gosden Racing of Newmarket is also reaping the benefits of SABRE. After opting for a 20kW solar PV system, site wide loft insulation and LED lighting throughout they will be making cost savings of £5,000 pa after a 4 year payback. Further cost savings have since paid for a new bicycle rack to encourage sustainable transport amongst workers. They said “The SABRE report is a great way to start a programme to reduce your firm’s environmental impact and running costs”
Renewable Energy Feasibility Review • Further free support and advice on renewable energy To find out more about how you qualify for SABRE or if you would like to find out what your renewable energy options are contact SABRE on 01394 444584 or email sabre@groundwork.org.uk.
SABRE is impartial and independent. It is a three-year partnership project between Groundwork Suffolk and Suffolk County Council on behalf of the Suffolk Climate Change Partnership and is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund. For more information visit www.greensuffolk.org/sabre
The SABRE project is supporting 120 businesses/social enterprises in total over three years. Everyone who takes part in the project will receive: • A free independent and impartial
LOOKING GOOD AND FEELING GREAT? Or is your branding a little tired and in need of refreshing? A new image can rejuvenate your business and attract new customers – that’s what our clients say about our recent branding campaigns. So if you’re ready for a creative fresh approach, contact Paul Newman or visit our website to find out how we can help take your business forward.
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ALANBRANNANDESIGN ▲
www.alanbrannandesign.co.uk
BOOK REVIEWS The Lean Startup: How Constant Innovation Creates Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries Viking £10.49 Most new businesses fail. But most of those failures are preventable. "The Lean Startup" is a new approach to business that's being adopted around the world. It is changing the way companies are built and new products are launched. "The Lean Startup" is about learning what your customers really want. It's about testing your vision continuously, adapting and adjusting before it's too late. Now is the time to think Lean. Eric Ries is an entrepreneur and author of the blog Startup Lessons Learned. He cofounded and served as CTO of IMVU, his third startup. He is a frequent speaker at business events, has advised a number of startups, large companies, and venture capital firms on business and product strategy, and is an entrepreneur-in-residence at Harvard Business School.
Facebook Marketing Guide for Smart Business Owners by Nick Stevens Kindle edition (amazon.co.uk) £2.00 These days, Facebook marketing is essential for any business. This book is a quick hit packed with tons of valuable information you can begin applying immediately! Here is a preview of what you'll learn... -Creating the foundation you need to be successful -Creating your brand -Setting up your business profile -Knowing what content to post -Maximizing your first fans -Boosting your pages -Connecting with others -Optimizing for Google -Timing your posts -Promoting across different platforms -Scheduling regular makeovers -Assessing your progress and results -Using metrics to take things to the next level
St Joseph’s College
BUSINESS BOOKS
Whole College Open Morning Saturday 12th October 2013 9.30am-12.30pm
SMEs from the Ground Up [Paperback] by Chuck Hodell ASTD Press Kindle edition (amazon.co.uk) £25.52 Subject matter experts are at the heart of many instructional design projects. Yet there seems to be a vacuum of best practices and approaches to working with SMEs. Since instructional designers and trainers thrive on getting their content correct, there is no realistic way to do this efficiently and productively without finding the best way to work with SMEs. This book will show you how to define the different SMEs and their roles for you and your learning and development teams. Learn how to develop plans for SME selection, communication, evaluation, and problem solving to ensure that tasks move along smoothly. No matter your level of experience in training, this guide provides the basics of building a productive working relationship with SMEs.
A co-educational Independent Day School for 3-18 year olds with boarding facilities. Scholarships and bursaries up to 100% of fees available. A Christian School in the Lasallian Tradition. Belstead Road, Ipswich, England IP2 9DR Telephone: 01473 690281 registrar@stjos.co.uk www.stjos.co.uk
IoD suffolk | autumn 2013 | 31
MEMBER PROFILE
John Haresnape Owner, Lady Florence River Cruise Restaurant John Haresnape will be familiar to many IoD members – either because, along with thousands of others, they have, at some time, enjoyed a meal while cruising the River Ore on board the ex-Admiralty supply boat, the Lady Florence, or as a result of John’s regular attendance at IoD events in skipper’s uniform of branded shirt and shorts. John’s family business is soon set to expand, with a second boat operating out of Ipswich. on the Lady Florence will try the Allen Gardiner. The standard of catering and hospitality will be every bit as good.
Lady Florence fans will be keen to hear more about your plans for the River Orwell. Can you tell us a bit more about that first? We are in the process of moving the boat we have been operating out of Durban in South Africa to Ipswich. She’s called the Allen Gardiner and is a 63-foot wooden air/sea rescue launch built in 1942. She’s a fair bit bigger than the Lady Florence; as many as 20 can sit down for a meal together, although she is licensed for 50. She was based in the heart of Durban, near the commercial district and was very popular with corporate diners. We’re hoping we’ll be able to do something similar in Ipswich and that, of course, is quite a different sort of proposition to the Lady Florence. We do hope, however, that the many people who’ve enjoyed a cruise
You were running these two businesses, one in Suffolk, your summer home and one in South Africa, your winter home. That sounds like an idyllic set up to most of us. How did you achieve that? I used to do training in goal setting and planning and would often tell people to plan the rest of their lives. I realised I wasn’t doing it myself so, in 1982, sat down with my wife, Susan, and made such a plan. We are English and thought Suffolk would be the ideal place to spend our summers but it wasn’t warm enough for the whole year so, once apartheid was gone, South Africa seemed the best place for the winter. Geoffrey Ingram Smith had started the Lady Florence River Cruise Restaurant in 1984. We bought it from him in 1992 and have run it with my son, Craig and his partner, Kris ever since. She is very popular. Some people come five times a year. We’re confident there will be plenty of demand for a second boat. And, with Craig increasingly taking the lead in the business, Susan and I will still be able to escape to South Africa in the winter.
American company. One of the reasons I joined the IoD more than twenty years ago was the chance to use the Pall Mall facilities for entertaining clients. They were always very impressed. My role in the future will be to do more of the marketing for the restaurant boat business. Craig is a highly trained chef and very experienced caterer. A cruise and meal on the Lady Florence would be quite a lot of people’s ideal day out in Suffolk. Apart from that, what would be your recommendation for relaxing in the county? We still very much enjoy being on the boat. You might think there’s only sea and sky to look at but I see something new every time I go out. And when we have customers who don’t know each other, the way they mix and, often, become friends is a real pleasure. Elsewhere, the thing we’ve really enjoyed in recent years has been the Red Rose Chain’s Theatre in the Forest. It used to be in Rendlesham but has now moved to Jimmy’s Farm at Wherstead. Their productions are magical. They are a great night out.
You have not always been in the floating restaurant business. What were you doing before? I was in the computer business. I was the UK Sales and Marketing Director for a big
Are you a member of the IoD? Join us and you’ll discover a unique mix of opportunities to learn and be inspired by interesting speakers; meet other directors, senior managers and professionals and enjoy a variety of social occasions with a big member discount.
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Many of our members take advantage of other IoD benefits including the superb meeting space and facilities in Pall Mall, London, which are FREE to use; FREE one-to-one expert advisory sessions and FREE business information queries answered within 24 hours.
As an IoD Suffolk member you are also entitled to free access to a dedicated workstation in the new e-touchdown on the 5th floor at Eastern Enterprise Hub in the James Hehir building on Ipswich waterfront. See www.eehub.co.uk For membership details email caroline@iod-suffolk.co.uk
Woodbridge School RE-FOUNDED IN 1662
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