Suffolk Director | Summer 2015

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SUFFOLK

DIRECTOR INCORPORATING IoD

SUFFOLK

SUMMER 2015 IoD Suffolk is hiring The changing legal landscape All style & substance The art of delegation Cycling, the new networking

AMBITION Ben Gummer’s vision for Ipswich

FC1 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015


THE NEW JAGUAR XE. Get ready to rewrite the rules. With its F-TYPE inspired design, the New Jaguar XE is a wake-up call for every other car in its class. With an engine range that delivers thrilling performance and impressive efficiency of up to 75 mpg and C02 as low as 99 g/km, the New XE redefines the sports saloon The New XE R-Sport from £376 a month plus deposit and final payment.

NEW JAGUAR XE SALOON 2.0D (180) R-SPORT 4DR MANUAL REPRESENTATIVE EXAMPLE† On the Road Price†† £33,025 Finance Deposit Allowance £1,903 Customer Deposit £5,999 Total Amount of Credit £25,123 Purchase Fee (Included in final payment) £10

36 Monthly Payments Final Payment Total Amount Payable Duration of Agreement (Months) Representative APR Interest Rate (Fixed) %

£376 £14,560 £35,998 37 4.9% APR 4.78%

††Model shown is an XE Saloon 2.0D R-Sport 4DR standard specification with optional Blue Fire metallic paint (£620), on the road price £33,645.

MARSHALL JAGUAR IPSWICH WEST END ROAD, IPSWICH IP1 2DZ. WWW.MARSHALL.IPSWICH.JAGUAR.CO.UK 0844 245 8373 Marshall Jaguar is a trading style of Marshall Motor Group who is acting as a credit broker and not a lender.

THE ART OF PERFORMANCE Official fuel consumption for the Jaguar XE range in mpg (l/100km): Urban 24.4-64.2 (11.6-4.4); Extra Urban 46.383.1 (6.1-3.4); Combined 34.9-75.0 (8.1-3.8). C02 Emissions 194-99 g/km. Official EU Test Figures. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ. †Representative Example relates to an XE Saloon 2.0D (180 PS) R-Sport 4dr Manual. Representative 4.9% APR available on new Jaguar XE saloon models registered between 1st July to 30th September 2015 at participating Retailers only. With Jaguar Privilege Personal Contract Purchase you have the option at the end of the agreement to: (1) return the vehicle and not pay the Final Payment. If the vehicle has exceeded the allowed mileage a charge per excess mile will apply. In this example, 14p per excess mile up to 4,999, or for excess mileage of 5,000 or more, a charge of 28p will apply to each excess mile above the allowed mileage. If the vehicle is in good condition and has not exceeded the allowed mileage you will have nothing further to pay; (2) pay the Final Payment to own the vehicle or (3) part exchange the vehicle subject to settlement of your existing credit agreement; new credit agreements are subject to status. Representative example is based upon an annual mileage of 10,000 miles. Credit is subject to status and only available to applicants aged 18 and over resident in Mainland UK and N.Ireland. This credit offer is only available through Black Horse Limited trading as Jaguar Financial Services, St William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff CF10 5BH. We can introduce you to Jaguar Financial Services and a limited number of other lenders to provide funding for your vehicle. We may receive commission or other benefits for introducing you to such lenders. Call will cost 7 pence per minute plus your telephone company’s access charge.


WELCOME

Welcome to Suffolk Director From IoD Suffolk to Suffolk Director. We are evolving Making it clear our reach extends well beyond IoD Suffolk Members to all business owners, professionals, key influencers and the community of personalities that are actively engaged with our dynamic county, be it the arts, politics or business. With so much information available online and in print, we aim to be the Suffolk Director’s friend. An influential local voice in a cacophony of sound bites that shares experience and offers the opportunity to connect. I do hope you enjoy your first issue and your ideas, views and feedback would be very welcome. Jonathan Tilston Publisher

Contents 2 AMBITION Ben Gummer’s vision for Ipswich

7 Corporate Finance 9 Protecting the Director 11 Social Media 12 Accountancy 13 IoD Suffolk 15 We’re hiring 16 Mental Health 17 Expert Connections 18 Student Members 19 Life 20 Calendar 21 Local Food 22 Legal Landscape

Within this launch issue we carry an exclusive interview with Ben Gummer MP, a politician whose views seem to resonate with his Ipswich electorate as he begins his second term as MP. As well as covering IoD Suffolk events, we have additional contributions from Terry Dwan, one of IoD Menta’s Expert Connections, Assis Carreiro, previously Chief Executive of DanceEast, Chef and Food Writer Emma Crowhurst and serial entrepreneur Richard Atkins. We interview one of East Anglia’s leading clothing retailers, Vanessa Collen and talk to Tarnia Robertson about taking the reins at Ufford Park Woodbridge. Andrew Cann Editor

24 In Conversation All Style & Substance

27 The Next Generation 28 Cycling for Business 29 Business & Sport 30 Across the Region 31 Books 32 Arts Diary

Design & production

inspire: inspiredc.co.uk

Photography Pagepix pagepix.co.uk IoD Suffolk Committee Carrie Bendall Grateful thanks to the Salthouse Harbour Hotel for hosting our Ben Gummer interview salthouseharbour.co.uk

All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or in whole, without the prior consent of the publisher is strictly

Suffolk Director is a Tilston Phillips publication

prohibited. The content of this magazine is based on the best knowledge and information available at the

141 Norwich Road, Ipswich IP1 2PP

time of publication. All times, prices and details of the events were correct at the time of going to press. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers, proprietors, the Institute of

01473 286155

Directors or others associated with this production

enquiries@suffolkdirector

© Tilston Phillips Magazine Limited 2015

tilstonphillips.com

suffolkdirector.com 1 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015


Ben Gummer Re-elected in May as MP for Ipswich with the largest majority a Conservative has had for decades. He attributes this to his vision shared by the aspirational leaders of the town and its business people. Unashamed about the scale of this ambition, Ben shares it with Andrew Cann

AMBITION 2 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015


AMBITION

Ben is one of the few MPs that has a constituency lineage dating back to the Middle Ages. He is identified very firmly with Ipswich, a strength that helps him cross party boundaries probably helping win seats for him and his vision rather than conservatism. There is no doubt he cares very passionately about Ipswich, Suffolk, the East Anglian region and its people. In terms of delivery against promises made in 2010, Ben doesn’t measure the individual projects, although there have been many involving trains, roads, houses and jobs, but the sweeping change in attitude in Ipswich and its surrounds. He describes himself as “just one of a little group of musketeers” fighting for a dream.

The California of Europe “When I arrived as MP five years ago, the prevailing mood was ‘it’s only Ipswich, you can’t do it, Ipswich is going down the plughole, it’s just an embarrassment’. “When I talked about East Anglia becoming the California of Europe, people laughed out loud.

“When I talked about East Anglia becoming the California of Europe, people laughed out loud”

“Now, ‘the California of Europe’ is the title of conferences, in the forward of economic documents and people talk about it as if it’s going to happen. “Ipswich, a key stakeholder in this vision, now has a scale of ambition that there hasn’t been since the 1960’s or may be even the 19th Century. That’s really exciting and an important and massive change.”

The next five years Ben believes his vision is quite a simple one. “Ipswich has got phenomenal potential. It could not have a better situation geographically; we are in the golden triangle of some of the biggest research and development centres in the world linked to the largest financial centre in the world. We couldn’t be anywhere better. “The ambition is growing inside the town and the people of Ipswich are, as they’ve shown by history, capable of extraordinary innovation and great achievement. The potential is all here. My vision for Ipswich is about unlocking it, removing the barriers so that things happen quicker.”

Connectivity & infrastructure “Infrastructure is an issue; connectivity is so important and the key to every single stage of growth. It has been since classical times. The projects we’ve got on the A14, on the A12, the ‘Norwich in 90’ campaign on the railway, the internal road projects and the wet dock crossing in Ipswich, is all about improving connectivity. “It’s then about the soft infrastructure which is skills and schools; getting the university to flourish. It’s doing amazingly but we need to move up a gear. It’s about the two further education institutions, Suffolk College and Suffolk One. 3 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015


AMBITION

“Most importantly it’s about schools. We need to get every single school in this town to be good or outstanding by 2020 and that is about implementing national policy at a local level and about moving forward with academies.

“It encourages people to want to come and live here because they know there are things to do in the evening; all in all things which, when you are being realistic about attracting people out of London to come and live here, are an important part of the offer.

“It’s about making sure we are ruthless about failure and just not accepting of it.”

“It is important also because when you have a town that is self-confident about itself you must have a vibrant arts scene.”

Enterprise Island “Next we must help businesses, build offices and be clever enough about releasing land for innovation and jobs. The wet dock crossing releases twenty acres of land in the centre of town which will be an hour and a quarter travel door to door to the City of London or to Silicon Roundabout. “What I want to see is really innovative young companies coming to start up on our island site, Enterprise Island, and that place is going to be the engine for growth for this town. “If we can get it right, if we can get universities leading it and we can get growth around skills and innovation and risk taking.”

Freeing up business “If we help business flourish it will help us with skills, transport and housing and a vibrant ‘city’ life. Great cafes, restaurants, shops; all the things we know a vibrant place needs. A young population, young families, a positive change in the urban scene will come as a result of encouraging businesses to our alive and kicking county town,” says Ben. “And the arts. If there is anything we have learnt in the last twenty years is that in places like London, Manchester and Leeds they have thrived because of their arts scenes. The whole regeneration of Newcastle has been arts led and has been very successful. So it is a critical part of how you regenerate a place. 4 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015

“Something magical is going on”

Something magical is going on with the arts in Ipswich “We have five portfolio-funded organizations but you can add another five to those who are not portfolio funded and are just as good and doing just as interesting stuff, most avant-garde.” With this, Ben is reluctant to get involved and would discourage local government to interfere too much because it’s working. “You don’t want to muck it up. But we have to be sensitive to the fact it’s going to be a tight funding environment over the next few years. What we can do is help them leverage their funding successes, encourage philanthropy and


AMBITION

facilitate the sharing of resources and make sure public assets are available for them to use. That’s all about enabling and not interfering.”

As for local government Ben suspects the Government’s stated Devolution Agenda probably means doing less. “I think we have too many councillors. I don’t think there’s a direct connection between the councils and the people. “You need to look at where you get a really good relationship between people and their elected representatives and it tends to be where you’ve got elected mayors. Bristol’s a great example and it’s going well.

“I think we have too many councillors”

“London of course has been a great success in terms of that and it’s been a precondition of the evolution in the north. I would like to see people think really hard about how you do that in Suffolk and in Ipswich. It will be a different solution and it will be based on the experiences of those towns and also country spaces. “But we need to be really creative about it. And my challenge to local governments is I will support you in devolving powers especially around health and social care which is classically best on the local level. But I will only support you if you are really brave around how do we connect with people make sure that local accountability is there.

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AMBITION

Ben Gummer MP for Ipswich Entered Parliament for the first time in 2010 and was re-elected in 2015 with an increased majority Political career: Parliamentary Advisor to Lord Feldman, May 2012 Parliamentary Private Secretary to Minister of State for International Development, September 2012 Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Education, October 2013 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health, May 2015 Outside politics: “I don’t think government can dissolve hundreds of millions and sometimes billions of pounds worth of funding if the people spending that do not have a good enough relationship with their electorate and that’s what’s going to change for this state.”

As Minister of State for Health Ben was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Quality at Department of Health in May 2015. He has a long record of working on the politics of health and was a key figure in the battle to bring improved heart services to Ipswich Hospital. Ben will continue to spend Thursday night, Friday and every weekend in Ipswich, a pattern he has always followed: “I love coming home and getting stuck in with all the exciting projects we’ve got here. “I want to change things to such an extent that it continues to have a positive effect on people long after I am gone.” 6 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015

“I love coming home and getting stuck in with all the exciting projects we’ve got here”

After studying at Cambridge University, Ben ran a small engineering firm before becoming managing director of a business that helped companies make a positive impact on society He is: The author of a book on the Black Death, “The Scourging Angel” thescourgingangel.com An associate governor of Ravenswood Primary School Patron of Home Start South Suffolk Trustee of the Foundation Years Trust A member of The Ipswich Society, the Friends of Ipswich Museums, the Ipswich Maritime Trust and the Ipswich Historic Churches Trust Ben has set up the Ipswich Suffolk Business Club to leverage the aspirations of our local business leaders and to help bring the infrastructure and growth to our town and county on which prosperity and jobs will be founded


CORPORATE FINANCE

Now is the time to buy or sell private businesses The banks are showing increased interest and support, not just in East Anglia but across the UK. Cash flow lends are an option again With inflation seemingly under control, unemployment falling, national output rising and the election now over, the most obvious challenge on the immediate horizon will be the potential fallout from the Greece debt crisis and the ongoing threat of a rise in UK interest rates. Although conduct and litigation charges weigh heavily on UK banks, many are posting some encouraging financial results and it may well be that 2015 proves to be the year when the restructured banks turn the corner. Certainly our experience in East Anglia is that many banks are keen to consider deals and working closely with trusted local bank managers, cash flow lends are an option again.

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Now is the time to buy or sell. The tax regime for sellers taking advantage of Entrepreneurs’ Relief and paying an effective 10% tax rate is as benign as we are ever likely to see. Cash rich buyers are looking at ways of making their money work for them by way of business acquisition, and those needing funding are gaining increasing interest and support from the banks. James Lay Director of Corporate Finance and Partner of Larking Gowen 0845 450 2465 larking-gowen.co.uk james.lay@larking-gowen.co.uk

SUFFOLK

DIRECTOR INCORPORATING IoD

SUFFOLK

SUMMER 2015

Tom Boother

Achieving the impossible

Vanessa Collen Style & Substance

Assis Carreiro

Artistic Direction

Reach Suffolk’s business leaders Contact us at sales@suffolkdirector.com

AMBITION Ben Gummer’s vision for Ipswich

FC1 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015

7 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015


Date Thursday 15th October 2015 Time 19:00 – 23:00 Location The Hangar Kesgrave Hall Contact Caroline Kearney t 07917 699498 e caroline@iodsuffolk.co.uk Sponsored by

The 2015 IoD Suffolk Annual Charity Dinner Please join us for our Annual Black Tie Dinner one of the highlights of our IoD Suffolk year We are very pleased to welcome Running Man Tom Boother as our Guest Speaker and to be raising funds for this year's chosen charity Suffolk Mind Non-members welcome


PROTECTING THE DIRECTOR

Directors: beware criminal liabilities whilst running your business As I write this article, I wonder how many directors are unaware of the dangers of personal criminal and civil liabilities they may face for a range of possible offences in the corporate arena. Some of you who are now reading this may be unaware that the ‘Limited’ part of ‘Limited Company’ does not offer you protection against criminal and civil sanctions for wrongdoings. The Companies Act 2006 created more than a hundred criminal offences* that relate to both companies and their directors. In addition to these, you may also be aware of certain other offences of which directors can fall foul. Naturally, it is important for all directors to know where they stand.

Many of these 100 plus offences not only put the company itself in the prosecution firing line but, by default, line up every director or officer of that company alongside. Furthermore, there are potential liabilities under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986, Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Insolvency Act 1986, Enterprise Act 2002, Theft Act 1968, Fraud Act 2006 and the Bribery Act 2010, to name but a few. All of these Acts have provisions that allow for directors to be held personally liable for criminal offences. In a world of increasing regulation it is no longer the case that a director can hide behind the veil of the Limited Company for which he acts. Successive Governments have continued to introduce legislation that creates more and more personal liability for directors and as new controversies make their way into the headlines, there seems little chance of this trend slowing. Although all this may seem daunting, good practice and good advice can minimise its impact. If you do find yourself confronted with a potential prosecution however, you must seek the right advice at an early stage. The initial stages of an investigation often determine the outcome of any action against you, so it is imperative that advice from a specialist solicitor is sought as soon as you are aware that there is an issue. At Birkett Long our teams work in areas of specialism and can help you with issues such as insolvency, health and safety, directors’ responsibilities, corporate prosecution, corporate finance and many more. Contact them for a free and no obligation telephone call. For criminal and health and safety issues contact the author, Craig Tipper on 01268 824938 or craig.tipper@birkettlong.co.uk, or for insolvency and corporate matters contact Kevin Sullivan on 01206 217376 or kevin.sullivan@birkettlong.co.uk *Annex A: Crown Prosecution Service Schedule of Company Offences. Companies Act 2006

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INSTITUTE OF LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT TRAINING LEVEL 7 QUALIFICATIONS DESIGNED FOR NEW SENIOR EXECUTIVES OR THOSE PREPARING FOR THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF MANAGEMENT. The programme focuses on the following areas: Developing leadership and management capability Developing a high-level business case Developing and maintaining a high performance culture and optimising resources Courses held in: Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds Courses run on a regular basis, please contact us for the next start dates. Institute of Leadership and Management courses are also available for your Team Leaders or Supervisors (Level 2), Junior or First Line Managers (Level 3) and Middle Managers (Level 5). Develop Anglia West Suffolk College, Out Risbygate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3RL IP-City Centre, 1 Bath Street, Ipswich IP2 8SD

info@developanglia.co.uk

10 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015

Telephone: 01284 716246


SOCIAL MEDIA

Around 170 million facebook users are not real Emma Pratt

Should you care? The truth is volume matters. High follower numbers mean prestige and reputation, but developing your following organically and over time is much more valuable than bulk buying from a third party

• D on’t forget to proof read – neglecting to spellcheck will make you appear as if you lack an eye for detail and will reflect negatively on you. How can your marketing message be effective if you haven’t even spelt it correctly? Emma Pratt is founder of EP Marketing Ltd

Whilst paying a small fee for thousands, or even tens of thousands of new followers may initially seem like a sweet deal, beneath the surface there are numerous drawbacks to the schemes and you may even find your account suspended. Completely inactive Zombie accounts are trying to trick the innocent all the time.

01473 407027 epmarketing.co.uk emma@epmarketing.co.uk or find ‘epmarketingltd’ on facebook

Building followers organically takes time, but in return for your vested interest in engaging with genuine people, you build a broader platform from which to share your business.

Here are five tips: • Sharing is caring - post things that your followers might be interested in, even if they don’t come directly from you. Your facebook page should become a platform users revisit for their own interest • B e social – this might sound obvious, but it’s called social media for a reason. Reply to comments, ‘like’ responses and share stories or images that have been shared with you. Pop your name at the end to give yourself and your profile an identity • I nvest in ads – facebook ads are easy to use and drive results. Set a budget, preview your ad and see an estimate of your reach and audience. This will drive large volumes of relevant traffic to your page in a short amount of time • U se pictures – posts without images are likely to get lost and ignored. Videos share exceptionally well (it’s good to show a sense of humour)

Is facebook worthwhile? It has its place Consumers (and customers) are king You have to hang out where your target audience hangs out It has to be integrated with all aspects of your business. Not just a bolt on You must commit, neglect is worse than not starting Be upfront, don’t ignore any negative comment It has to fit with your business plan (if you don’t have one, spend the time writing one, not on facebook) Do a lot of watching, learn before you leap You will never know, unless you try.

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ACCOUNTANCY

What divorce needs is a forensic accountant Fiona Hotston Moore

Most of my work as a forensic accountant has been spent helping to uncover criminal deception and, to a large extent, it continues to be so. However, an increasing proportion of my time is spent providing fair and true valuations of assets and estimated future earnings for couples when they decide to separate As the media has publicised, there have been a number of cases recently where one party in a divorce, usually the richer, attempts to not disclose, hide away or even deny wealth; thinking that the price of jail-time is worth the extra wealth they retain.

earnings from a business is not something that can be done on the back of a fag packet. And let’s not forget, if someone is planning a divorce they will most definitely be on the ‘front foot’; being able to squirrel money away whether that be under the mattress, in a jar on the kitchen shelf or in some tax haven abroad. Involving forensic accountants early on in the process will ensure that assets are given a proper value; one that both parties can agree on. Well maybe not agree, just not dispute! All too often expert accountants are only appointed as part of the court process as so called Single Joint Experts. However, we can provide pragmatic commercial advice outside the court environment in a negotiated settlement “around the table” and so avoiding costly legal bills and years of wrangling.

I do believe that the consequences of such deception should be toughened by Government especially for those in unequal financial partnerships. However, in the absence of any such legislation being introduced, a simple step could be to stop trusting individuals to disclose their wealth and insist upon an independent assessment by a forensic accountant at an early stage in the process. After all, when a marriage fails trust is usually the first thing to fly out the window, quickly followed by a series of black plastic bags (if you’re lucky!). Such a valuation of assets is not a straightforward task especially if a business or pension fund is involved. Assigning proper value to, lets say, future 12 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015

This would most certainly reduce the amount of bickering as the divorce proceeds which may not be good for the litigation lawyer’s coffers but would most certainly be better for the separating couple and any children caught up in the process. And if such a valuation was made a legal requirement then it would also deter anyone who was maybe thinking about non-disclosure. Fiona Hotston Moore is a partner at Ensors Chartered Accountants ensors.co.uk Fiona.hotstonmoore@ensors.co.uk


Luke Morris

IoD Suffolk Chair & Partner, Larking Gowen

Mark Braithwaite

Jordan Holder

Terry Dwan

Stephanie Harrod

MD, Gipping Occupational Health & Wellbeing

One of IoD Suffolk Menta’s Expert Connections

IoD Student Membership Officer & Portcullis Market Access

Harrod UK Business Leader Breakfast

Tom Boother

Ultra Runner, Speaker IoD Suffolk Annual Charity Dinner

IoD Suffolk Summer 2015

Clare Bain

Dynamic Voice Art of Delegation Skills Workshop

Jane Cattermole Bay Tree VA Art of Delegation Skills Workshop

Steve Colson

Dynamic Voice Art of Delegation Skills Workshop

Sponsored by

13 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015


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IoD SUFFOLK | CHAIR

We’re hiring! Luke Morris, IoD Suffolk Chair

I’m being booted off

I’m two and a half years in to my strict three-year tenure as IoD Suffolk Chair. I will, quite rightly, be booted off the committee in December. That means we are currently dealing with one of those matters that is an unceasing challenge for so many businesses and institutions: succession I have learnt so much in this role. Met some inspirational people. Made some lasting friendships. Had great fun. Remaining at the very core of our club is the free association of the county’s business leaders, rooted in friendship and commercial life. The spirit of cooperation, collaboration, and learning from each other. You’re taking the time to read this: I wonder if you’ve considered going through the process to be our next branch Chair? How about considering becoming part of our committee? I am perhaps more blasé than most businesses are about the “succession thing” when it comes to the IoD. Last month we hosted a members’ lunch at the Farmers’ Club in Bury St Edmunds. No such thing as a free lunch, of course, and participants were set the challenge of feeding back on our branch, our activities and our programme. What should we be looking to do in 2016?

A shed-load of ideas came out of a really energetic session, and we’re still open to more. Let us have your thoughts. So, anyway, I have no concerns about the talent, ability and great potential Chair-elects amongst our cohort. The branch has never been so vibrant. This magazine is a case in point. I’ve long been of the view that our county could do with a pithy and punchy business quarterly. I think we’re moving in the right direction with some of the developments in this edition. Enjoy.

Luke Morris IoD Suffolk Chair & Partner, Larking Gowen luke.morris@larking-gowen.co.uk

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IoD SUFFOLK | MENTAL HEALTH

Promote, prevent & protect Mark Braithwaite

Every year one in four of us will experience a mental health problem. These numbers mean you could be affected Employers need to take all reasonably practicable steps to protect workers’ health, safety and wellbeing. You don’t need legislation to tell you that a happy healthy workforce will deliver happy healthy results. As with physical health issues, psychological ill-health comes in many different forms and affects people in different ways, some symptoms may be visible; some may not. The challenge for a business is to promote its likelihood, prevent it happening and protect itself from and manage the impact when it is identified.

Develop communication skills • Improve workload management • Coach to handle sensitive conversations • Know how to handle difficult situations • Know when to get expert help • When people are off sick, keep in touch. • If you love and nurture your employees like a family, you will always have someone to delegate to.

Culture & communication

Mark Braithwaite

If you create a culture of trust and understanding, communication comes easily. People will feel more at ease and more likely to succeed in their job. External influences may be at play but if employees know they have someone to talk to, they will find everything easier to deal with. Every employee needs a circle of support, known and trusted relationships and help to make sure work and life demands are taken into account. They need to feel they can speak up and someone will listen, not just a long list of tasks to complete. Change is always unsettling and stressful. If change is coming, as it always does, it makes sense to involve your employees in the right way at the right time. Secrets always lead to miscommunication.

Training & soft skills People may be very skilled at their job but interpersonal skills and teamwork often needs teaching. Tips on taking care of yourself and your colleagues are essential. Empathy and the ability to listen are forgotten friends when tough deadlines need to be met. Regardless of the number of staff you have, it’s wise to improve understanding of health issues.

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Managing Director Gipping Occupational Health & Wellbeing 01449 766913 gipping.co.uk

Useful references Promoting positive mental health at work acas.org.uk/publications How to be mentally healthy at work mind.org.uk/workplace/mental-health-at-work Manager’s desk guide for workplace mental wellbeing issuu.com/suffolk-mental-health/docs/ managers_desk_guide/1 mindfulemployer.net Mental Health First Aid mhfaengland.org


IoD SUFFOLK | EXPERT CONNECTIONS

Knowledge & skills transfer from ancients to young ones Terry Dwan, former Director of a major international management consultancy, has signed up as an Expert Connection, the joint initiative between Menta and IoD Suffolk facilitating introductions between experienced IoD members and growing Suffolk small companies that have been in business for over three years Terry has now been matched with a couple of small businesses to help provide them with some of his hard won business knowledge and experience.

Terry says: “I can readily testify that in the vast majority of post business assignment reviews, clients said that what was really valued in our delivery was not the detailed analysis, business theory or “death by PowerPoint” presentations provided by young and enthusiastic MBA consultants. “Rather it was the one on one discussions held with senior consultants who had ‘been there, seen it, done it and got the tee shirt’. The knowledge and experience transfer from these ‘Ancients of Days’, was regularly cited as the most appreciated product that the assignments delivered. “The most popular business tip then was probably ‘Think twice before acting once’ and the most

important business principle was ‘Spend the business’s money with as much care and prudence as if it were your own!’ Some things just never alter. “Such high levels of hard won business knowledge and experience have also long been found in abundance among many senior members of the IoD and now through the new Expert Connections initiative, any Suffolk business over three years old can avail themselves of this valuable asset. “Whether it’s developing a new product, raising finance, running a marketing campaign or simply having someone to act as a sounding board for an idea, the Expert Connections initiative will try to find a local IoD member who is willing and able, pro bono, to help with any business initiative, issue, opportunity or problem with which an embryonic company feels they would like assistance.” To start your matching process visit: menta.org.uk/business-advice/ expert-connections

IoD Suffolk – New members To find out more about joining the IoD please contact Caroline Kearney, Suffolk Branch Administrator 07917 699 498, caroline@iod-suffolk.co.uk Chris Anderson 4C Offshore Ltd Mark Cracknell HAYNE Solutions Ltd Matt George Matters Media

Susan Innes Paul Innes Consulting James Lightfoot Lightfoot O’Brien Westcott Ian Major Securus Group Ltd

Paul Mardle Paul Mardle Matthew McIntyre GBC Fine Tayloring Ltd Matthew Oxborrow GBC Fine Tayloring Ltd

Sheridan Steen Dyslexia School Search Ltd Nigel Sykes Jack Sealey Ltd David Watson Pauline Whitaker-Bethel ETection Ltd

17 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015


IoD SUFFOLK | STUDENT MEMBERS

IoD Student Bites Pay fair Jordan says … Osborne’s 7th Budget took another swipe at Students. It’s a wakeup call: ‘You can’t get everything for nothing! Grants are unaffordable. It’s unfair to taxpayers.’ He’s right. Maintenance grants will cost the taxpayer £3bn by next decade, so why should we keep funding students? Students won’t start paying back any of the loans until they’re earning over £21,000 a year. That seems fair. It’s time students realised that they’re just as much a part of society as the tax paying public. They should contribute rather than being handed freebies.

In at Taylor Made Joinery, Bildeston Wow 40 metres long & 9 metres high, we saw how our amazing library at Suffolk One came into being. We were shown around TMJ’s 50,000 square metres of office & workshop space and were awestruck by what they have achieved. Workshops, technology, quality, recycling to 98%, you name it they have achieved it. We loved their belief in apprenticeship, they offer two per year, and then ongoing continuous personal development to university degree and beyond. Every employee is trained as a joiner whether they use the skill or are in the finance team. tmjinteriors.com

Jordan Holder IoD Student Membership Officer & Portcullis Market Access jordan@portcullismarketaccess.com

Out at Anglia Business Exhibition Ouch Surviving the torrential rain, students helped ‘man’ the IoD Suffolk stand at the Anglia Business Exhibition at Trinity Park this year. Student researchers asked – whether apprenticeships were offered, thoughts about their minimum wage (£2.73 per hour), can young people help with social media, why is the 16 – 24 years unemployment rate so high?

Suffolk One library visual at TMJ Interiors

Apprenticeships good, wages horrendous. Yes to helping with social media but oldies can do it too. Young people are generally LAZY, unwilling, lack experience & training and their expectations are too high. Ouch! Well … you do have to start somewhere … (LAZINESS is not something we at the IoD experience of our student members. We oldie committee members relish their commitment, enthusiasm and get up and go attitude) Need an apprentice? Talk to our student membership officer: jordan@portcullismarketaccess.com Jordan will match you with enthusiasm. 18 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015

The completed library at Suffolk One


IoD SUFFOLK | LIFE

Fit for life Tom Boother is the speaker at the IoD Suffolk Annual Charity Dinner on Thursday evening, 15th October 2015

Tom is an ultra runner, speaker and trainer. He trained as a lawyer and discovered trail running by chance. Now he uses a 100-mile ultra-marathon as a metaphor for one’s entire life and organises trips to some of the most inspiring and beautiful trails in the world. Tom’s mantra is ‘Be Strong’.

Right now, Tom is preparing to run from Lands End to John O’Groats next year. The distance is over 800 miles, eight times what he is used to so he’ll be waking up to it every day for a couple of weeks rather than keeping on running until he reaches the end.

Over a coffee we discovered:

Tom is working with the Human Performance Unit at Essex University and recommends it highly to long distance runners, cyclists or triathletes. He believes the Unit’s intervention will improve performance dramatically. They were recommended by Dave Williams of Sports Med East whose physiotherapy has kept Tom supple for the last few years.

10 years back Tom attempted a rather tardy half marathon and ran purely because it made him feel better than when he did not. He was at law school and needed something other than reading and revising and heard about a 100-mile run in the Alps, which he entered with a friend. The running was not so successful at first but he was hooked and went back to finish this race a few times. Tom has had some very best times and very worst moments running. The lessons learnt created his method that, if applied, can help anyone start and finish any challenge they set themselves. All they truly have to do is want to finish.

Date Thursday 15th October 2015 Time 19:00 – 23:00 Location The Hangar Kesgrave Hall Contact Caroline Kearney t 07917 699498 e caroline@iodsuffolk.co.uk Sponsored by

The 2015 IoD Suffolk Annual Charity Dinner Please join us for our Annual Black Tie Dinner one of the highlights of our IoD Suffolk year We are very pleased to welcome Running Man Tom Boother as our Guest Speaker and to be raising funds for this year's chosen charity Suffolk Mind Non-members welcome

Tom loves to talk so please come to the IoD Suffolk Annual Charity Dinner armed with plenty of questions.

19 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015


IoD SUFFOLK | CALENDAR

Clare Bain & Jane Cattermole

Business Leaders’ Breakfast The Art of Delegation By Dynamic Voice & Bay Tree VA

Tom Boother

IoD Suffolk Annual Charity Dinner in aid of Suffolk Mind Date – 15th October 2015

Date – 9th September 2015

Time – 19:00 – 23:00

Time – 07.30 – 10.00

Venue – The Hangar, Kesgrave Hall, Hall Road, Kesgrave, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP5 2PU

Venue – Denny Bros Conference Suite, Kempson Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP32 7AR Price – Members & Guests £27.50 +VAT, Non-members £33.00+VAT, Students £13.75 +VAT Delegation is key to growth. Get it right and you have more time and more engagement from your team. Be prepared to get involved and explore the “Skill-Will Grid” and the “Priority Matrix”.

Price – Members & Guests £60.00 +VAT, Non-members £72.00+VAT, Table of 10 £600.00+VAT, Students £20.00 +VAT IoD Suffolk’s Annual Black Tie Dinner with drinks reception, sumptuous 3-course dinner and coffee. Our Guest Speaker is Tom Boother, The Ultra Running Man who will demonstrate how he tests body and sanity while completing some of Europe’s toughest runs, some 145 miles long.

Business Leaders’ Breakfast Diversification: from fishing nets to football and horticultural products By Stephanie Harrod, Harrod UK Date – 18th November 2015 Time – 08:00 – 10:00 Venue – Harrod UK 1-3 Pinbush Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 7NL Price – Members & Guests £27.50 +VAT, Non-members £33.00+VAT Students £13.75 +VAT A visit to Harrod UK in Lowestoft. A firm founded on old fishing nets, now a market leader in the sports industry and an award winner in horticulture.

20 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015

Stephanie Harrod


LOCAL FOOD

Sourcing from local award-winning food producers Emma Crowhurst

From household names to hidden gems, East Anglia’s rural traditions in farming, brewing, fishing inspire generations to harness the natural resources and fertile soil of the county, evident in the numerous producers of world class ingredients and food products Showcasing these products is key to awareness and it’s agricultural shows and food festivals that have lead the charge. One of the longest running is The Suffolk Show, (1st and 2nd June 2016) once purely agricultural now a fantastic showcase for Suffolk produce, its talented producers and cooks.

This September I’m at the Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival on East of England Coop’s stage. The Young Producers Club will feature new talent, passionate food entrepreneurs at the forefront of our highly successful local food industry, some with prodigious national food awards.

The Bury St Edmunds Food and Drink Festival (30th and 31st August 2015) is now in its fourth year. Galton Blackiston and Ed Baines will headline one day of the two-day event and there’s ample opportunity to be inspired by their demonstrations and use of local ingredients.

Most Young Producers work in family businesses, generally on a farm, and have often rebranded and updated their parents’ enterprise. Their expertise, inventiveness and drive have done much to put Suffolk on a national good food map and with their commitment and energy it’s likely that East Anglia will remain in pole position.

Hillfarm Rapeseed Oil, from the family farm in Heveningham, near Halesworth, typifies the quality of local produce. They are the original producers of cold pressed extra virgin culinary rapeseed oil in Great Britain, now also a ‘Gold Taste’ award-winner and used by chefs countrywide. Rapeseeds are ground and pressed to extract the oil, leaving the pulp in small pellets for animal feed. Last year they launched a fabulous rapeseed hand cream, a firm favourite for this chef’s hands! Extra virgin cold pressed rapeseed oil has the lowest saturated fat content of any other oil available on the market. Only 6% saturated fat content, it has eleven times the Omega 3 of olive oil, a high vitamin E content, and a higher burn point making cooking with it easy. The East of England Coop’s ‘Sourced Locally’ initiative is of great help. Starting in 2007 with local asparagus, they now stock well over 2,400 different products from 140 suppliers across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. So successful they have ploughed over £25 million back into the regional economy bringing around 400 new jobs.

Emma Crowhurst is a Chef and Food Writer, former BBC presenter and now teaches across Suffolk at Helmingham Hall, The Cookhouse, Braxted Park and The Taste Academy. 21 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015


LEGAL LANDSCAPE

A confident look ahead to the changing legal landscape Barker Gotelee’s forward thinking strategies have stood the firm in good stead for the changes to the legal world that are still playing out today When starting the business back in 1988, the founding partners at Barker Gotelee were mindful of the changes and challenges ahead for the legal marketplace and recognised the need to differentiate themselves from the other law practices in the area. James Skellorn, Senior Partner and one of those founding members, still works at the firm today. Suffolk Director caught up with him to find out what he feels makes Barker Gotelee different, and what plans are afoot to make sure the firm maintains its position as one of the leading legal establishments in Suffolk.

Getting the situation spot on Sitting in the meeting room at Barker Gotelee’s offices in Martlesham to talk with James, it’s easy to see why customers feel so at ease working with the solicitors there. Asking him about the choice of location he explained that, when looking at how things might look in the future, the office situation was one of the first big decisions the founding partners made. “We could already see that the town centre itself was becoming harder to ‘pop in’ to” he said. “While the majority of the other legal establishments were set up in close proximity to the law courts, we wanted to make it quicker, easier and less expensive for our customers to get to us for the advice they need. So we chose our offices in Martlesham to be situated right on the bypass, giving easy access to customers coming out of Ipswich and 22 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015

from all surrounding areas via the A12 and A14.”

“Change is a constant these days. The focus of our local economy has altered completely in the last 25 years or so, from manufacturing and engineering much more to shipping, and IT, of course. Making sure we change our services in line with those shifts is a big part of our strategy.”

Firm foundations for business And what makes Barker Gotelee stand out even further is the way the firm was set up in the first place. Established as a subsidiary of a Northampton based practice that wanted to settle roots in East Anglia as well, Barker Gotelee was set up with firm commercial foundations. While the ties with that firm have long since severed, the Barker Gotelee business set up has remained. The growing teams of specialist solicitors, all set up to complement each other in different areas of the law, are firmly focused on the service they deliver to their customers. Meanwhile the office management team provides the finance, marketing and administrative skills needed to strengthen and drive the business forward.

Making it work in our changing times It’s easy to imagine that many of the challenges the legal marketplace is facing now would be relatively new, as a result of the changing landscape of the business world in general and the fastpaced, almost impatient way in which we live our lives and communicate. James said though, “While some firms of solicitors are still uncertain of the best way of evolving to meet these challenges, many of the changes we see happening today were rooting themselves back in 1988 and before”.


LEGAL LANDSCAPE

“We could see that we needed to approach things differently. Having true specialists and expertise in particular areas of the law, understanding the needs of our customers, and running our firm as a business have all helped us to counter the trend toward alternative legal providers, allowing us to offer a service that hasn’t been commoditised or de-skilled. And the internet has also changed the way customers use us.” James explained that IT, including online research tools and email in particular, has made speed of service much more achievable. All customer records are also kept digitally in a secure environment, meaning that calling up information and response times can be a lot faster and more efficient too.

Business strategies for the long term So what next for Barker Gotelee? Again, James was quick to put the customer first. “Our customers are coming to us now with a much greater degree of knowledge than in the past. We recognise that and we’ve changed the way we work to make sure we cater for their differing levels of understanding.

“While there’s much our customers can learn by researching online, at Barker Gotelee we’re all about making sure we complement that research, adding extra value so that each one of our customers gets the best legal outcome for their own situation.” Barker Gotelee is made up of a number of specialist teams of solicitors – dealing with family law, property, private client matters, business services, and agriculture and farming. “The law is often more complex than it seems at first glance and there can be many different case precedents to take into account that may not always be readily apparent from online research. So while we focus on a number of specialist fields, whether the customer needs advice on one matter, or indeed a combination, we make sure we put together a team of solicitors who can work on every aspect together for the best outcome. “We can do as much or as little as our customers need and, of course, our pricing structures reflect that too.” 23 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015


IN CONVERSATION

All Style & Substance Suffolk Director talks to Vanessa Collen, Owner & Managing Director of inspiring independent fashion retailer Collen & Clare, one of the “50 best boutiques outside London”, according to The Sunday Telegraph’s Stella Magazine, 2013 and 2014, and listed in Vogue’s “Secret Address Book”

Collen & Clare is a destination store for men, women and children in Southwold, Aldeburgh, Burnham Market and soon online delivering the best pick of over 100 well-known brands, fashion, beauty and accessories. SD: From London merchant banker to Southwold? VC: At 30, I decided I’d had enough of “urban rudeness” and left to follow my dream. I didn’t know how much of a dream it was until my mother told me I’d always wanted to have a clothes shop as a little girl. SD: Urban rudeness? VC: More hostility. I’d walk into stores with money to spend and found I was looked up and down and quickly assessed. It put me right off. When founding Collen & Clare I was determined to provide the opposite. SD: What next? VC: More timeless, easy to wear style in a warm, relaxed friendly atmosphere. Not just in our historic premises but online for customers who can’t always visit. Not more customers but increased opportunity for our many existing and loyal followers. SD: What’s the secret to dressing well? VC: Underpinning. When you are well supported, as in most things, everything else will flow (or follow). 24 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015

SD: And style? VC: Being stylish can create too much pressure all round. Everyone should develop their own style from within, find their core in keeping with lifestyle and personality. We help people find confidence and leave with what’s right for them. I find the most stylish people have something in common be they conservative, whacky, wild, timeless or achingly bang on trend. They know what suits them and present it with confidence. SD: tIf you were to start all over again? VC: Speedier embarkation on our expansion plans. SD: Best find? VC: Steve Sharp our Chairman. His greatest hits include Your M&S and re-finding Twiggy. His retail career spans almost four decades.


The Art of Delegation Date Wednesday 9th September 2015 Time 07:30 – 10:00 Location Denny Bros. Conference Suite Kempson Way Bury St Edmunds Contact Caroline Kearney t 07917 699498 e caroline@iodsuffolk.co.uk

Business Leader Event Delegation is the key to growth. It delivers a more engaged team and frees up your time to respond to opportunity. An interactive, practical and fun workshop delivered by Dynamic Voice & Bay Tree VA. Non-members welcome


IOD Summer 15_IOD Corporate 17/07/2015 16:45 Page 1

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All work and ...no play!

Mix business with pleasure and take advantage of our team building promotion. Day delegate rates from £55.00* per person and includes: Refreshments throughout the day including home-made cookies, cakes and flapjacks A choice of buffet lunch An afternoon team building activities including Tag Archery and Two Balls...three ways! Fully air-conditioned meeting rooms and use of meeting equipment Free wi-fi throughout the hotel Discounted accommodation rates *Terms and conditions and minimum numbers of 15 apply. Please quote ‘IOD Summer’

t 0844 477 1832 (local rate) w www.uffordpark.co.uk Yarmouth Road, Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1QW

26 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015

“Food, friends and feather pillows” With old fashioned inn keeping in a modern setting, we boast ten magnificent boutique bedrooms, a bustling bar and a real Suffolk food experience.


THE NEXT GENERATION

The Next Generation Tarnia Robertson took the helm of Ufford Park in April 2015 when her parents, Colin and Shirley Aldous, retired. Tarnia is 46, married to Stuart and they have three teenagers. With a background in surveying Tarnia joined the business in 2000 to structure the marketing, which played neatly to her creative side SD: What has been your most satisfying moment? TR: Completing the refurbishment of 24 bedrooms within budget and on time. It was a sharp learning curve but I had a great team of contractors. Seeing the dramatic difference made to each room is extremely rewarding. We now have a five-year plan to reach all other parts of our amazing complex.

SD: Any regrets? TR: Not having enough belief in studying Interior Design as soon as I left school. I didn’t follow my heart.

SD: Which business figure do you most admire? TR: Richard Branson for running his businesses on a foundation of honesty, loyalty and humility. He has said he doesn’t need to know how to fly or drive a train but he needs good people who can: a good message for smaller independent business owners to let go a bit. For me that meant finding my replacement Debbie Ratcliffe as Marketing Manager. That meant I could move on to other things.

SD: To whom do you owe your success? TR: My husband, Stuart: he provides unconditional support and taught me you don’t need to be a “ball breaker” to be a business leader. You need to listen, read body language and recognise tones of voice.

SD: What’s the biggest challenge you now face? TR: Continually delighting clients at competitive prices. Keeping it personal and not taking short cuts. Everything is possible if you keep listening to your clients, stay open minded and keep enjoying what you do.

SD: What are you most proud of? TR: My continuous professional development and improved ability to communicate.

SD: What’s your favourite childhood memory? TR: Long family holidays in Naples, Florida where my uncle lived and before we became the providers of holidays ourselves. This gave precious quality time with Dad who was otherwise always working. Colin and Shirley Aldous took Ufford Park out of receivership in 1991. Colin came out of retirement from the building trade to do it. Since then it’s doubled in size to 90 bedrooms, has 7 conference & banqueting rooms, an 18 hole golf course with a two story driving range, a spa, pool & gym. It sits in 120 acres of parkland with views over the Deben Valley. uffordpark.co.uk 01394 383555

27 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015


CYCLING FOR BUSINESS

Networking through cycling is growing fast Richard Atkins

Cycling was once the preserve of the svelte, but with the growth of cycling as a popular activity you are increasingly likely to encounter a sweating ‘MAMIL’ (middle aged man in lycra) in the Suffolk byways. Richard Atkins takes a mud splattered look at how business leaders are hefting themselves into the saddle With Chris Froome winning the Tour De France for the second time there’s even more inspiration for this steadily emerging breed. We used to be rubbish at cycling. Now, since the influx of lottery money about five years ago to support UK cycling, we have become brilliant. And we all like to be part of a winning formula. More and more executives are taking to two wheels to meet others. Networking through cycling is growing fast as is the popularity of cycling and cycling clubs. With the added benefit of fitness, the opportunity to network whilst making authentic connections is a real winner. Many businesses are now setting up their own in-house cycling clubs and business-to-business events promoting networking through cycling. Cycling has now become the third most popular recreational activity in Britain with 6.8m people cycling every month. This has been a boost for our local cycle shops where the purchase of £10,000 bike is not unheard of! This is a fast developing sector estimated to be worth £3bn a year to the economy already.

Cycling Events London to Amsterdam Challenge In Suffolk the trend for cycle networking is in its infancy. But in June, 70 riders from Suffolk, took part with 180 others in ‘the biggest bike ride in football’ from London to Amsterdam for Prostate Cancer UK, the Football League’s nominated charity. There was of course some friendly banter between the riders, but overall the camaraderie amongst all riders was remarkable as was the £58,000 of the £305,000 total raised by Ipswich Town FC supporters. You can sign up for 2016 now.

Crafted Classiq If you want to try a shorter ride, why not sign up for the Crafted Classiq rides from Ipswich Waterfront on Saturday 22nd August. There are 55km, 100km or 100 mile routes.

Tour of Britain: Stage 7 If you prefer to watch, the penultimate and longest stage of the nation’s most exciting cycling event will be finishing in in Ipswich after a punishing 225 kilometres from Fakenham in Norfolk. See them arrive outside the Willis Building on the 12th September. For a list of local cycling clubs go to cyclesuffolk.org Richard Atkins is a keen cyclist, ex politician and serial entrepreneur who has worked across the globe.

28 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015


BUSINESS & SPORT

Invest in yourself Stuart Robertson

“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got” Whether it’s your golf or business game that’s stagnating, now might be the time to bring in a pro. If you are constantly working on your game but don’t see your handicap reducing or business results increasing, your time could be better spent elsewhere.

guru, who will be able to look at your business and processes through a different set of eyes and bring a new perspective on where your time could be better invested. Over the past 20 years I have seen many players spend a lot of time perfecting an aspect of their game that may already be 90% successful but neglecting several other areas which reduces their overall success. This can lead to stagnation and increased frustration. If this sounds familiar you know what to do. Stuart Robertson Head PGA Professional and Director The Doctorgolf Academy Ufford Park Woodbridge Suffolk IP12 1QW

If you want to improve but don’t quite know where to begin, book a game with your pro for 9 holes (or offer to play a pro-am with them) so that they can get a feel for your game, give an objective view and help you with a practice plan that will give you the biggest benefit.

mail@doctorgolf.co.uk 01394 383480

Similarly within your business you may be working hard in the wrong areas. A wise investment would be to spend some time with a leading business

@doctorgolf247

Try the Courtside Bistro at Ipswich Sports Club Darius and Gill impress Club members and visitors time and time again with their huge choice of menus for all occasions and their passion for making sure each visit is a memorable one, from daily lunches and evening meals to special buffets and themed events Chef Darius has been in the industry for many years travelling, working all over the world and producing some amazing food. He and Gill joined the club in March 2014 and their Courtside Bistro is now one of the best low cost, high quality function venues in Ipswich. They have helped Ipswich Sports Club become a top food and beverage business in the region. The Club is also planning various new projects over the coming years: increasing the function room space, growing the leisure areas, gym and studio and there is even the possibility of a pool.

With plenty of parking, modern facilities and a friendly welcome Ipswich Sports Club is the ideal place for your next event or function.

ipswichsportsclub.co.uk/courtside-bistro 01473 251143 Henley Road, Ipswich IP1 4NJ 29 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015


ACROSS THE REGION

Art, Jazz, Eat Sweet Charity, New Wolsey Theatre 3rd - 26th September

Giggling Squid, Coming to Bury St Edmunds this Autumn

In this new actor-musician production of the classic swinging sixties musical Sweet Charity, directed by Peter Rowe, we meet Charity Hope Valentine, a woman who always gives her heart tand dreams to the wrong man.

Replacing Chimichanga in Abbeygate Street, The Giggling Squid is co-owned by husband and wife team Andrew and Pranee Laurillard, and promises to bring the simple, rustic and fresh food of Thailand to Bury St Edmunds.

Despite her dead-end job as a dance club hostess in the dubious Fandango Night Club she still manages to remain an incurable optimist. One day she meets sweet, unassuming Oscar and believes her luck has changed. But has it? Includes brassy toe tapping hits Big Spender and If My Friends Could See Me Now. 01473 295900

Jazz, Hadleigh Town Hall 5th September 8pm Hadleigh Jazz Club presents Georgina Jackson & Pete Long sings with Chris Ingham Piano, Mick Hutton Bass, George Double Drums. A vivacious, stylish vocalist, an exciting trumpet player too, Georgina has sung with Ronnie Scott’s Big Band and fronted several BBC Broadcasts with the BBC Concert Orchestra. Joining Georgina is top reed player Pete Long, director of the acclaimed Echoes Of Ellington Orchestra.

Mindful of the busy lunchtime audience, they promise ‘Thai tapas’ or tasting sets, an opportunity to try lots of different tastes in one go.

Ben’s Restaurant, Bury St Edmunds We don’t like to be ageist but following several digs at young people being lazy gathered through our student research at the Anglia Business Exhibition earlier this year, here is a 22 year old full of passion for hard work and far from lazy. It sounds as if Ben has worked hard all his life, first on his parents’ farm and now he’s opened his own restaurant to provide food sourced locally and directly, particularly from his parents’ small holding. The promise: you will know where everything you eat comes from. bensrestaurant.co.uk,

Tickets £12 from George Double

01284 762119

07941 360890 Quick!

43-45 Churchgate Street, Bury St Edmunds

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Tel: 07545 289 190 UNIT 3.11, FELAW MALTINGS, 44 FELAW STREET, IPSWICH, IP2 8SJ

30 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015


BOOKS

Summer Books Holonomics

Holocracy

Business Where People and Planet Matter

The Revolutionary Management System that Abolishes Hierarchy

by Simon Robinson and Maria Moraes Robinson

by Brian J Robertson

Floris Books £16.99, kindle edition £6.99

Businesses around the world are facing rapidly changing economic and social situations Business leaders and managers must be ready to respond and adapt in new, innovative ways. The authors of this groundbreaking book argue that people in business must adopt a ‘holonomic’ way of thinking, a dynamic and authentic understanding of the relationships within a business system, and an appreciation of the whole. Complexity and chaos are not to be feared, but rather are the foundation of successful business structures and economics. Holonomics presents a new world view where economics and ecology are in harmony. Using real-world case studies and practical exercises, the authors guide the reader in a new, holistic approach to business, towards a more sustainable future where both people and planet matter.

Portfolio Penguin £14.99, kindle edition £6.64

A ground-breaking approach to organisation: no managers, only roles In traditional companies, managers make decisions, and workers execute the plan. But Holacracy is a revolutionary and tried-and-tested new system which turns everyone into a leader. The organisation looks like a nest of circles, not a pyramid - but it’s not anarchy. It’s finally clear who should make each decision - the person on the frontline has that authority – and the organisation succeeds by adapting swiftly to pursue its purpose. In Holacracy, pioneer Brian Robertson explains how to adopt this system across your organisation – and what you can do just within your department or for yourself – and how to overcome any obstacles along the way.

OPEN MORNING

Saturday 26 September 2015

10am - 2pm: Senior School; 10am - 1pm: Prep School

www.ipswich.suffolk.sch.uk/openmorning IoD strip ad 174 x 43 mm July 2015 v2.indd 1

09/07/2015 13:37:45

31 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015


ARTS DIARY

Suffolk brimming with festivals Assis Carreiro

Suffolk is now a true festival county. In fields, villages and towns up and down the coast and further west, festivals not only attract locals but visitors. Our eastern sunshine, easy links to London and warm welcome has made us an attractive proposition DanceEast launched its first community festival in June, Move I Be Moved. Ip-Art, Latitude, the Felixstowe Book Festival and the Aldeburgh Festival, now in its 67th year, have already gone.

There is a stellar literary line-up, including Louis de Bernières, Julia Blackburn, Joanna Trollope, Fernanda Torres and playwright David Hare.

Aldeburgh Music is not just about music. Snape Maltings and its concert hall plays host to poetry, literature and food and drink festivals. It’s a key player in raising the profile of Suffolk’s tourism and hospitality industries.

Beyond Aldeburgh …

Still to come we have:

Snape Proms 1-31st August A smorgasbord of entertainment from the troubadour of our times, Billy Bragg, to reinventions of Sinatra as well as blues, country, soul, brass and classical music and a sing along to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!

HighTide 10th-20th September In Aldeburgh after 8 years in Halesworth, HighTide is ambitious, groundbreaking and champions new playwriting: four premieres, work staged on the beach and across nine venues, Face to Face events with Christopher Eccleston, Vanessa Redgrave, Sir Richard Eyre and Meera Syal and Comedy Nights hosted by Soho Festival.

Ipswich Maritime Festival 14th-16th August Attracting many thousands each year to the Ipswich waterfront, the Maritime Festival has an array of events on land and sea: music, re-enactments, craft, street and food markets and a chance to see visiting tugs and vessels including the VIC 96, one of the last remaining steamships and Arthur Ransome’s favourite, the Nancy Blackett.

Folk East 21-23rd August At Glemham Hall, Folk East boasts dozens of acts including False Lights and Ceilidhs, workshops and loads of Morris lines. Enjoy just a day or pitch a tent in peaceful and welcoming surroundings.

Photograph: Johan Persson

The Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival 26-27th September Over 90 Suffolk food and drink producers, award winning beer and spirits from sponsors Adnams, Aspall Cyder, street food and demonstrations by celebrity chefs. Loads to taste and inspire!

FlipSide 2nd-4th October Founded by Liz Calder and Genevieve Christie, FlipSide has Latin American music, song, dance and literature like no other. A real party atmosphere, there is something for everyone. 32 | SUFFOLK DIRECTOR SUMMER 2015

Assis Carreiro MBE, Artistic Programmer and Producer and Head of Strategic Planning & Development for New English Ballet Theatre was previously Artistic Director & Chief Executive, DanceEast.


Excellent in every class Discover why Ipswich School received the highest rating of “Excellent” in every category in our ISI Inspection Report 2014

Join us at our

OPEN MORNING on Saturday 26 September

Senior School 10.00am–2.00pm Prep School 10.00am–1.00pm

Find or01473 01473 408300 408300 Find out outmore moreat:at:www.ipswich.suffolk.sch.uk/openmorning www.ipswich.suffolk.sch.uk/openday or Excellent for results 100% of our GCSE students gained five A*-C grades including English and Maths

Excellent for sport Our under 18 Girls are National Indoor Hockey Champions

Excellent for universities Our Russian students have had Oxbridge offers for the last six consecutive years

Excellent preparation Our Prep School provides the best preparation for pupils moving to the Senior School

Means-tested financial support available, up to 100% of full fees

OPEN DAY AD Sept - VANILLA 165x218mm v3.indd 1

30/06/2015 14:21:39


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