Business News Extra - November 2014

Private eye Livs for forensic approach 3 It’s almost time to Toast Surrey’s businesses 4 Company receives Queen’s Award for growth 5 Building society members boost Halow funds 8 November 2014

getsurrey.co.uk/business in association with

Town begins purple reign The Association of Town Centre Management recognises Guildford’s safe, varied and thriving night time economy with the award of a coveted Purple Flag, ensuring a status that is enjoyed by only around 50 towns nationally.

By Jennifer Morris

jennifer.morris@trinitymirror.com

The Mayor of Guildford, Cllr David Elms, was joined by representatives of town groups at Guildhall to celebrate the award of Purple Flag status, presented for Guildford’s successful night-time economy.

THE night time economy in Guildford has been recognised with a special award.

Assessors, deeming the centre to be a safe, vibrant and inclusive area come nightfall, have given the town Purple Flag status.

The nationally recognised accreditation follows months of close partnership working between Surrey Police, the Business Improvement District (BID) Experience Guildford, Guildford Borough Council and Guildford Pubwatch, along with voluntary groups such as the Guildford Street Angels.

The Association of Town Centre Management runs Purple Flag. Assessors look for high safety standards, good transport links and a wide variety of evening activities to offer a welcoming environment for a good night out.

Cllr Gordon Jackson, lead for economic development at the borough council, said: “This is excellent news for our town centre and for everyone who’s worked so hard to achieve the coveted Purple Flag. With more than 100 places to eat, drink and socialise, Guildford town centre welcomes thousands of visitors every weekend to enjoy what the town has to offer.

“The mix of bars, restaurants, theatres and live music venues means there is

something for everyone to enjoy on a night out.

“We work closely with our partners to offer a safe environment for everyone to enjoy their night and get home safely.”

The award adds to previous town centre initiatives that have focused on improving Guildford’s night time economy. Behave Or Be Banned was introduced by Experience Guildford in partnership with Guildford Pubwatch and Surrey Police last year, and has, according to these

“This award demonstrates how we can all work together to benefit the town as a whole...”

Stuart Craggs organisations, resulted in a 25% reduction in reported alcohol-related antisocial behaviour.

The first Best Bar None awards were presented in February this year, also by Experience Guildford, recognising and rewarding venues that demonstrate what is deemed to be best practice.

The organisation’s funded taxi marshals have also worked to reduce disturbances at taxi ranks during weekends.

Stuart Craggs, night time economy manager at Experience Guildford, said:

“This is such a tremendous achievement for the town, and one that key partners and individual businesses should be proud of.

“This award demonstrates how we can all work together to benefit the town as a whole, and recognises the importance that Guildford’s night time economy has on the vibrancy of the borough.

“We’ve worked hard to do things right, make a difference and ensure that Guildford continues to be known not just as a great venue for a fun night out, but a safe one as well.”

The accreditation process for Purple Flag is similar to those of the Green Flag awards, given for parks, and Blue Flags for beaches.

The status means the town must adhere to a comprehensive set of standards, management processes and good practice examples, and enters the town centre into a research, training and development programme.

Guildford will now be able to celebrate National Purple Flag Week in September.

Only around 50 town centres nationally have achieved the status so far, so it is hoped the accreditation will propel Guildford into the spotlight.

The judges considered the categories wellbeing, movement, policy, appeal and place – the layout of the town centre – when making their decision.

BUSINESS AWARDS COMING SOON getsurrey.co.uk/ToastOfSurrey

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November 2014

My first job BARCLAYS in Guildford has been recognised with a business award at the inaugural Surrey Youth Recognition Awards, held at Leatherhead Leisure Centre last month.

The prize recognises organisations that have made a positive impact on young people in their area, above and beyond their core business.

Charity Surrey Youth Focus nominated the branch, in North Street, during its three-year sponsorship of CommuniLab, an online forum for organisations interested in youth issues.

Providing organisations with a window on their communities, CommuniLab is intended to shift the way businesses, charities, educational establishments and local authorities consider and implement solutions to some of the problems faced by young people.

AN EXPERIENCED London lawyer has joined the ranks of Barlow Robbins.

Bernd Ratzke, from Boodle Hatfield, has taken the newly-created role of managing partner client services. He will support the strategy of the firm, which has offices in Guildford and Godalming, in developing its positioning in its chosen markets.

A former head of corporate at Baker & McKenzie, Mr Ratzke brings with him more than 20 years’ corporate experience. Ray Black, chief executive of Barlow Robbins, said: “The appointment concludes a thorough search for a person of appropriate stature and legal experience to improve our corporate offering, and to consolidate the leadership team.”

MORE than 200 delegates gathered at Denbies Vineyard, in Dorking for a Surrey Hills Enterprises conference.

The National Wood Fuel Conference, held on Friday October 17, was chaired by Grown in Britain’s chief executive, Dougal Driver.

Sponsored by LC Energy and Forestry Commission England, the event saw industry experts presenting the case for wood fuel as the key to sustainable woodland management.

The conference was attended by several French delegates, part of a European-funded co-operation project called Local Wood Hub, which aims to create a better understanding of home-grown wood in Brittany and Surrey.

ACCOUNTANCY firm Haines Watts has given a presentation on business finances to students involved in Young Enterprise.

Jane Gregory, head of client services, and David Smy, a partner at Haines Watts, explained the basics and importance of financial control covering areas like VAT and corporation tax. Ms Gregory said: “We’re delighted to have been able to help Young Enterprise.

People benefit a great deal from understanding about finance and business, even at a young age, and a basic knowledge can help them avoid common financial mistakes.”

Kate Craig-Wood, managing director at Memset What was your first job?

My first job was working as a web developer at Easy Space.

Easy Space was a tiny company based in West Byfleet that did web hosting – providing space for hosting websites and also web domain registrations.

At the time it was a leading company in its field.

How did you get from there to where you are today?

I left Easy Space after twoand-a-half years to set up my own business with my brother, in 2002.

I learnt a lot about the industry when I was with Easy Space and it enabled me to see where the opportunities were, in particular spotting a gap in the market between shared and dedicated hosting.

As a result we launched Memset, utilising the latest virtualisation technologies to build our award-winning Miniserver virtual machines.

What lessons has your career taught you?

Working at Easy Space allowed me to enhance my software development skills, which proved very valuable when I was setting up Memset.

It also provided me with an introduction to management – when I left I was business development manager, which also enabled me to face the challenges that arise when managing people.

What does the future hold?

Becoming self employed 12 years ago was the best thing I have ever done.

Fortunately we’ve been able to build Memset into a multi-award-winning, multimillion pound business.

Specialising in providing cloud computing and managed hosting services for the private sector to customers such as Boots, Lush, the BBC and more, we have also

Managing director of Memset, Kate Craig-Wood.

made considerable inroads into UK public sector ICT via the G-Cloud programme, and have welcomed Government Digital Service, the Cabinet Office, Home Office, University of Westminster, Staffordshire County Council and more.

Now the sky is the limit.

We’re currently seeking fun-

ding with a flotation on the stock exchange very much part of the plan.

Coupled with our ambitious global plans, it is our intention to become the superstar of Surrey business.

Memset is based in Stovolds Hill, at Dunsfold Park near Cranleigh.

Security firm marks a quarter of a century giving protection Editorial Director Marnie Wilson Group Deputy Editor Mark Miseldine Business News Jennifer Morris Commercial Manager Amanda Ducas Regional Sales Manager Ian Bresman

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Glasses were raised and a cake was cut as a Godalming security company celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Absolute Security, off Catteshall Lane, launched in 1989 specialising in security and fire prevention systems for homes, businesses, schools and the public sector.

In that time it has installed more than 8,000 systems.

The company started life in a single small office behind the Lammas Lands, then moved to a shop in Wharf Street before settling at its current, more spacious, location nine years ago.

“We are very proud that our security and fire prevention systems have been extremely efficient in preventing significant loss and damage from the premises we protect,” said Andy Rees, chairman of Absolute Security.

“This achievement has been down to the commitment and dedication of our great staff, together with a rigorous application of our quality management procedures.

“We’d all like to thank our customers for their loyalty over the past 25 years – many of our first customers are still using us for their security requirements. New customers tend to come to us on recommendation from an existing

Absolute Security staff celebrated 25 years of trading with a barbecue outside the company’s offices.

customer. This is something we are immensely proud of and work hard to maintain.”

The company offers a range of security solutions from intruder alarms, CCTV, fire prevention and detection though to automatic gate systems and access control systems.

It has been a finalist in the Toast of Surrey Awards and

holds accreditations with the NSI, BSIA, BAFE and the Surrey trading standard’s Buy with Confidence scheme.

“Security systems have evolved dramatically over the last 25 years in response to increasingly sophisticated criminal practices,” said Sandy Busek, managing director of Absolute Security.

“Technological advances

have in-turn made systems more precise and compact.

“We work very closely with security manufacturers, the police and crime reduction advisers to ensure our customers access the very latest solutions.”

Staff and retired employees celebrated the company’s milestone with a barbecue outside its offices.

Business owners question relevance of degrees The majority of SME owners in the South East believe a university degree is becoming increasingly devalued, according to a recent poll.

Of that number (63%), 47% believe university degrees are now so commonplace they

have lost some of their meaning, while almost a third say there is no substitute for practical experience.

The figures come from the latest Close Brothers Business Barometer, a quarterly survey that canvasses

the opinion of business owners and managers from a range of sectors across the UK and Ireland.

Robin Goddard, regional director for Close Brothers Invoice Finance in the South East, said: “Despite the fact

that the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) recorded the highest level of entrants to UK universities last year, the value of third level education is becoming a subject for debate.”

November 2014

Private eye Livs for forensic approach

By Jennifer Morris

jennifer.morris@trinitymirror.com Collecting evidence is the name of the game for a young private detective who has been named as a finalist in the Employee of the Year category of a Surrey awards.

Olivia Ellenger has worked at Answers Investigation for three years having spotted an advert for the role in the Surrey Advertiser.

And the 23-year-old admits she has rather an unusual job.

Based with her colleagues in Dunsfold, she has been nominated in the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Surrey Business Awards for her attitude to client care, sensitivity and for consistently ‘going over and above’.

“I am incredibly flattered to have my work recognised in this way, especially as there is somewhat of a stereotype attached to private

investigators,” she said. “Fingers crossed I’ll win.”

Answers Investigation is described as a small to medium enterprise.

“We see investigations through from start to finish,” added Miss Ellenger.

“We will establish with a client what we think the most appropriate type of investigation is, including options like surveillance, online research or fingerprints.”

Miss Ellenger is a fingerprint specialist and member of the Fingerprint Association.

“Sometimes disguises are involved, but usually it’s just a case of staying inconspicuous,” she said.

All of Answers Investigation’s work is civil, but occasionally, if criminality becomes apparent, it will hand over details to the police.

The three main types of investigation are private, corporate and legal in nature.

“My friends and family all find what I do hilarious – I think they’re a bit envious but it all seems like it’s not real to them,” Miss Ellenger said.

Answers Investigation is also a finalist in the Business Innovation category of the FSB awards, for demonstrating a culture of innovation – integrating specialist fingerprinting to its portfolio of business, legal and personal services. Nigel Parsons, who heads the company, said: “Olivia quickly established herself as an efficient private eye. Frankly, any client who has their issue handled by Olivia is fortunate.

“She is one of those people who won’t leave things alone and always puts in far more than is demanded.

“One of her personal irritations in life is having to wear her age ID strapped to her forehead – while now 23 she can easily pass for 16, which

has the downside of always being asked for ID in pubs.

The upside is that in the right guise it is the perfect undercover cloak, something which she uses mercilessly.

“People often ask what it takes to become a private investigator – the answer is that it is simply indefinable.

“We make the best of people’s natural talents and let them find their own curve.

Liv’s contribution is unique and, inevitably, mixed with a necessary sense of humour.

“Being judged a finalist in the awards is an endorsement of her skills and dedication.”

The winners of the FSB awards will be announced at a gala dinner and presentation at Epsom Racecourse next Friday (November 14).

Answers Investigation is celebrating its 21st year at its Surrey headquarters, with additional offices in Reading, Southampton and London.

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Private investigator Olivia Ellenger, of Answers Investigation, has reached the final shortlist in the Employee of the Year category of the Federation of Small Businesses Surrey Business Awards.

Institute of Directors chairman to nurture the building of trust

Admiring the new centre, from left: Nick Hart (clinical director of the Lane Fox Respiratory Unit and Lane Fox REMEO Respiratory Centre), Baroness Martha Lane-Fox and Andrew Harvey, (head of BOC Healthcare and REMEO Healthcare).

New respiratory centre will help patients breathe easier A MEDICAL supplies company from Guildford has played a major role in establishing a cutting edge respiratory centre at a Surrey hospital.

The Lane Fox REMEO Respiratory Centre – the UK’s first purpose-built weaning and home ventilation centre – was officially opened by Baroness Martha Lane-Fox on Wednesday October 22.

Situated in the grounds of East Surrey Hospital, near Redhill, the unit is the result of a public private partnership between Guy’s and St Thomas’

NHS Foundation Trust and BOC Healthcare and REMEO Healthcare, based in Guildford’s The Priestly Centre.

The purpose-built centre will operate as a satellite to the established Lane Fox Respiratory Unit at St Thomas’ Hospital in central London.

Baroness Lane-Fox is the great niece of Baroness Felicity Lane-Fox, who championed the rights of people with disabilities and was a driving force behind the fundraising campaign for the original unit, which opened in 1989.

The new centre will give more NHS patients access to leading clinical expertise in ‘weaning’ patients from invasive mechanical ventilation, enabling them to eventually return home. It will also free up intensive care beds for other acutely ill people.

Andrew Harvey, head of BOC Healthcare and REMEO Healthcare, said: “The Lane Fox REMEO Respiratory Centre is in line with NHS England’s plans to develop specialist respiratory services.

“This is the first public pri-

vate partnership to establish such a service and we would like to thank our partners at Guy’s and St Thomas’ for their assistance in bringing this centre to fruition.

“We also wish to thank our partners at East Surrey Hospital for strongly supporting this whole process.

“We are planning further centres in other parts of the UK in due course.”

The new-build was funded

by BOC Healthcare and REMEO Healthcare, who will oversee staffing of the centre.

The managing director of a Godalming-based company has been made chairman of the Institute of Directors (IoD) in Surrey.

Robert May, who founded IT company ramsac in 1991, has served on the IoD Surrey committee for a number of years, holding deputy and acting chairman positions in that time.

He will now take the helm for three years.

The IoD was established in the early-1900s to support, represent and set standards for company directors.

Surrey has the largest branch in the South and its membership includes directors from all sectors and business sizes.

With around 2,700 members on its roll, the branch is run by business people and IoD staff to support local members and organise business events in the area.

Mr May said the diversity of the branch ‘adds a depth and dimension hard to find elsewhere’.

IoD membership is open to anyone with senior level responsibilities. It is not exclusively for registered directors or people working in a commercial entity, but there are two membership categories depending on experience – member or associate.

Mr May said: “I’m delighted to chair IoD Surrey.

“We are a thriving local

Robert May, of ramsac.

branch of one of the UK’s leading business membership organisations.”

Mr May said IoD Surrey endeavours to organise events for its members that are distinct to those of other organisations.

“It’s about educating in best practice and really encouraging an environment for improvement, both for individuals and the Surrey business community as a whole,” he said.

“My view is that any business is a reflection of its directors. We discourage the sort of card-thrusting networking events that might be more common in London.

“I don’t think that’s how business is done in Surrey.

“The workforce is not as transient here, there is an established scene.

“So we want to nurture an environment that encourages the building of trust, to help business relationships develop that way.”

Mr May made the finals of the IoD’s Director of the Year Awards for two years in a row.

He said the organisation can learn a lot from the younger generation and he hopes to place an emphasis on education and nurturing good practice, along with focusing on the next generation of IoD members.

Mr May picks up the reins from David Seall, who is now chairman of the wider IoD South region.

Mr Seall said: “Robert is an excellent leader and very able and active chairman. This appointment is great news for everyone involved, including the 15-strong committee working alongside him.”

Business leaders across the South East are invited to enter the 2014 London and South East Director of the Year Awards.

Open to members and non-members of the IoD, the awards aims to bring together company directors from a variety of backgrounds and recognise their qualities as business leaders.

To find out more about IoD Surrey, call 020 8398 9643 or email admin.surrey@iod.net.

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November 2014

It’s time for us to Toast Surrey’s business successes once again...

By Jennifer Morris

jennifer.morris@trinitymirror.com DOES your business have what it takes to be crowned the best in Surrey?

It is time to celebrate the best of local business again with the return of the Toast of Surrey Business Awards 2015.

Preparing to launch for the seventh year, the awards, run by the Surrey Advertiser, mark the success of companies and businesses, both large and small, that help give the county its reputation for being the engine room that drives the nation’s economy. It is a way of saluting the spirit of entrepreneurship that is part of Surrey’s DNA. In a crowded marketplace the awards help raise the profile of local success stories, of which we should be rightly proud.

The Toast of Surrey Business Awards 2015 will be launching soon – so watch this space for further details on how to apply.

Countrywide Telecoms was one of the winners last year, scooping the Creative Industries award.

PJ Farr, managing director of the Guildford firm, said the award has opened doors for the company ‘no end’ and will be entering again this time around.

Mr Farr said: “We have secured more contracts directly off the back of it, for example Land & Water, a major dredging company.

“It literally happened after we were approached after the ceremony. Regarding rural broadband, Land & Water said to us ‘we’d love you to come and do some work with us’, and it has snowballed.

“It has just raised our pro-

file no end. Another result was me being nominated as Business Ambassador for Guildford Borough Council.”

Mr Farr was successful in achieving this title and he added: “Being involved with Toast of Surrey is such great exposure. Even if you don’t win, getting your company’s name in the paper is brilliant. It’s all raising your brand awareness.”

A number of sponsors are already on board for this year’s awards, and Godalming-based service provider ramsac is one of them.

Ramsac’s commercial director, Dan May, said: “We are big believers in the Toast of Surrey Awards.

“As a business we won an award for the Companies with a Turnover up to £5 million category in 2011 and we were finalists the following year in the apprenticeship scheme category.

“We got so much out of it and benefitted so much as a business going through the process, gaining publicity.

“I can’t do anything other than encourage local businesses to enter.”

Ramsac has sponsored the Toast of Surrey Awards for the past two years.

Mr May continued: “I think the energy and enthusiasm of businesses in Surrey is brilliant and we should be proud of that.

“The awards evening is always a great event. It’s a celebration of everything that’s made in Surrey and that’s why we are behind it.”

Other winners last March were Peer Productions for the Apprenticeship Scheme of the Year; Innovate Services for the Companies with a Turnover over £5m category;

Profile-raising win: Countrywide Telecoms managing director PJ Farr (second right) celebrates with his team on winning the Creative Industries title at the 2014 Toast of Surrey Awards.

COMING SOON getsurrey.co.uk/ToastOfSurrey Show of support: Dan May of sponsor ramsac (right) presents an award to members of Gold-i.

Gold-i in the Companies with a Turnover up to £5m category; and Perfect Pitch in the Companies with a Turnover up to £1m section.

The Director of the Year award went to Tom Higgins

of Gold-i; the International Trade award went to Vision Engineering; the Mental Health and Wellbeing award to MMVSENSE; the Social Enterprise Award to ARTHOUSE Meath and the Young

Business of the Year (trading for less than 12 months) award went to Nutriment.

Simon Edgley, regional managing director of Trinity Mirror Southern, said after last year’s celebration: “The

awards are all about business excellence.

“It is about recognising that Surrey has a lot to offer the business community. We are not just celebrating the Surrey business awards, but all the

businesses that make this such an inspirational county to live and to work in.”

Details of how to enter the awards, and this year’s categories, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Caper & Berry deal will raise the bar for catering at historic Loseley Park Partnership looks to be a perfect match as catering firm sets up a new base on estate

Imaginative ideas: Guests were treated to some of Caper & Berry’s delicious food at its Loseley Park launch night last month.

Some 70 people turned out last month to celebrate a new partnership between a Surrey catering company and Loseley Park.

Caper & Berry (C&B), headquartered in the Eashing Farm Estate, near Godalming, will be the exclusive caterers for the sprawling estate with a new base there.

As such, C&B demonstrated some of its creations at the Tithe Barn shindig, on Thursday October 23.

Loseley Park hosts 100 weddings each year and also offers fine dining for special family occasions and corporate events.

Owner Michael MoreMolyneux told guests: “We have 100,000 visitors here a year, with 10,000 visiting the

house and the garden wanting tea and cakes.

“We also hold 100 weddings where they want something more substantial.

“You have to keep raising the bar, and catering is a very important part of that.

“So we’ve joined forces with C&B who are full of enthusiasm, imagination and new ideas. It’s very good to have them here.”

C&B has an established reputation as a caterer for weddings and has delivered events throughout London and the South East for the last 10 years.

Traditional wedding breakfasts, lavish barbecues and canapés are among its repertoire, made with seasonal and local produce.

“We are genuinely excited about the years ahead of us,” said founder of the company, Tim Brennan.

“We’re proud to be appointed as the exclusive caterer at Loseley Park, which itself is a byword for quality, class and service.

“We share these values and look forward to working with Mike and his team on weddings and family and corporate events. This appointment is a great honour and we really love inventing dishes, and will happily design new ones for our guests.”

Mr Brennan told the party guests on the night: “This is something we’ve coveted for a long time. I hope it’s going to be a long and prosperous relationship for us both, and

that you’ll have parties and functions here.”

Mr More-Molyneux has long admired Caper & Berry after tasting the company’s food at other venues, like Guildford Cathedral.

“I’ve always been struck by their originality and passion for great flavours and creativity,” he said.

“It’s that kind of freshness and flair which has made such a deep impression.

“Their food is simply so imaginative. I know they will be outstanding for all occasions we offer from fine dining, family celebrations and weddings to cream teas in our tea room and in the Walled Garden, and delicious canapés for receptions and corporate events.

“What we hope to gain from the partnership is a new level in fine food and giving pleasure to our clients.

“In brief, enhancing the whole experience here at Loseley and taking the catering to a new level.”

Loseley Park has been home to the More-Molyneux family for more than 500 years and the current manor was built between 1562 and 1568 for Queen Elizabeth I, who visited four times.

Caper & Berry has catered for events at diverse venues including Petworth House, RHS Wisley, the South Bank Centre and the London Film Museum.

The company was a finalist in the Wedding Industry Awards in 2012.

November 2014

Company receives Queen’s Award for exceptional growth

By Jennifer Morris

jennifer.morris@trinitymirror.com

From left: Neil Clarke (chief executive officer of PrimeVigilance), Dame Sarah Goad (Lord Lieutenant of Surrey), Dr Elliot Brown and Stephen Douglas at the Queen’s Award-giving ceremony held at Surrey Research Park.

The phenomenal growth of a drug safety organisation was championed when a royal honour was bestowed upon it at Surrey Research Park last week.

PrimeVigilance, a specialist drug safety – or pharmacovigilance – service provider, has been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2014, in the International Trade category.

PrimeVigilance has received the accolade, which is the highest official award for business success in the UK, in recognition of achieving substantial overseas earnings with growth and commercial success for the last six years.

The company has seen a growth in overseas earnings of 173% over the past three years, and it has entered a number of new markets during this period, including

Australia, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Scandinavia.

PrimeVigilance, which employs 38 staff at its Guildford office and around 100 employees at its sister office in Zagreb, Croatia, is a leader in providing pharmacovigilance and medical information services for national and multinational pharmaceutical companies worldwide.

It has clients in Europe, North America, Australia and Asia, providing a global service that currently covers more than 100 countries and includes more than 150 medicinal products.

To hand over a symbolic glass bowl, on behalf of the Queen, the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey Dame Sarah Goad visited PrimeVigilance for a special ceremony on Tuesday last week.

Staff, including representatives from the Croatian office, gathered for drinks and a lunch, and to watch the

ceremony unfold, with chief executive officer Neil Clarke and directors Dr Elliot Brown and Stephen Douglas also in attendance.

Mr Clarke said of the company’s success: “PrimeVigilance has grown substantially since it was founded six years ago and this award is testament to the high quality service we provide to our customers around the world.

“The Queen’s Award is a great honour not just for the company but for all of our individual employees internationally, who have helped contribute to the company’s success. We look forward to building on our success and achieving further growth in the future.”

The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise is a programme for British businesses and organisations that excel in trade, innovation or sustainable development.

The awards are made

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annually by the Queen and are given for the highest levels of excellence demonstrated in each category.

Dame Sarah told the gathered audience: “I am delighted to be here today.

“Reaching the high standards required for this award will be a matter of considerable pride for all those who work for PrimeVigilance.

“It is of paramount importance that the safety of the medicines we require is assured, and you work to make that possible. It is an honour for you, for Surrey and for the trade of the UK.” PrimeVigilance provides comprehensive pharmacovigilance and medical information support to help its pharmaceutical industry clients meet regulatory obligations.

Those interested in working in the industry can apply for one of the firm’s graduate placements.

Sponsor’s feature

Appointment allows firm to offer clients its expert tax advice A GUILDFORD firm of solicitors has created an ‘innovative’ new senior position.

TWM Solicitors, which has offices in Woodbridge Road, has appointed chartered tax adviser Stephanie Sharpe – who has almost 30 years’ experience – to head its private client tax advisory service. She joined TWM in August from a firm of London accountants.

The majority of Mrs Sharpe’s career has been spent in Guildford, at firms including PKF (now BDO) and Smith & Williamson, and she is ‘thrilled’ to return.

Mrs Sharpe’s experience before TWM was as a private client tax specialist, providing high level advisory services, and her clients include high net worth individuals and entrepreneurs.

“The move came about quite organically after TWM, who were my own solicitors, decided to look for someone with tax experience to complement the private client legal team,” she said.

“We spent a good few

months discussing together how we could make it work and the role will continue to evolve.

The world of tax is a constantly changing thing in itself – there is a new Finance Act, very occasionally two, every year – so you’ve got to be constantly on your toes and constantly learning.

“I have never worked for a firm of lawyers before. I had roles at the Inland Revenue (as it was in the 1980s) and subsequently at accountancy firms, and I am absolutely loving it.

“I think it is very innovative and forward thinking of TWM to have created the role.

“It makes sense to bring multiple services together under one roof like this.

“Almost every transaction has a tax angle and I am able to assist my colleagues and their clients.

“Whether it is capital gains tax on a property transaction or inheritance tax on an estate, it’s vital to get it right. I don’t know of any other firms

doing it in the locality.”

Mrs Sharpe describes her role at TWM as falling largely in two areas – advisory work and compliance work.

The advisory side involves giving people the advice they need when they want to plan, for example, before getting married, selling a business or when considering lifetime gifts to mitigate inheritance tax.

The routine work involves looking after individuals’ and trusts’ annual tax compliance, including preparing and submitting tax returns.

“What we are doing is taking the burden away,” said Mrs Sharpe.

“It gives people reassurance that they are doing things right and making sure they only pay what they have to, to the Chancellor.

“Tax really can be relevant to all sorts of people, from individuals struggling with their tax returns to families dealing with a trust.”

Despite Mrs Sharpe’s expertise, she is not a lawyer so

Stephanie Sharpe has been appointed to head TWM Solicitors’ private client tax advisory service at the company’s Guildford office, in Woodbridge Road.

she works closely with her solicitor colleagues to provide the legal services clients need, such as lifetime estate planning, lasting powers of attorney and will-writing.

Mrs Sharpe, who hopes to bring the topic of tax ‘alive’ for TWM’s clients, is a keen gardener in her spare time.

She chairs the gardening and trees sub-committee at

Queen Elizabeth Park, where she lives with her husband.

She can be contacted for your tax advice at stephanie. sharpe@twmsolicitors.com.

TWM provides a full range

of legal services to both businesses and individuals, and also has offices in London, Reigate, Cranleigh, Leatherhead, Wimbledon and Epsom.

6

November 2014

Student researchers showcase their talent The University of Surrey’s engineering, science and mathematics postgraduate researchers highlighted their extensive transferable skills and enhanced business acumen in the new Researcher Showcase Competition.

A recent collaboration between Surrey Chambers of Commerce, EH Enterprises and the university’s Researcher Development Programme provided postgraduate research students with the opportunity to enter the event, allowing them to showcase their skills to thousands of Surrey businesses.

Dr Elaine Hickmott, owner

of EH Enterprises and creator of The Diamond Effect, said, “Surrey is full of thriving businesses and has a wealth of postgraduate talent in science, engineering and mathematics. Bringing these groups closer together creates value and opportunities for all involved.

“When encouraging these interactions two challenges are often encountered; some companies incorrectly assume technically-orientated researchers have a narrow set of skills, and many researchers happily hide behind the detail of their research and never mention their all-

round abilities. Our Researcher Showcase Competition was designed to help researchers think differently about their skills and give them a platform to raise their profile within the business community. And, at the same time, give Surrey businesses the chance to see researchers in a whole new light.”

Dr Dawn Duke, head of the Researcher Development Programme added: “Once employers start talking to our doctoral researchers you can instantly see they are impressed. A doctorate is much more than just learning more about a smaller topic.

“It requires high level analytic thinking, problem solving and resilience, all of which can be applied to many situations.

“The fabulous thing about the Researcher Showcase is it has provided an opportunity for businesses and the doctoral researchers themselves to recognise this.”

Sponsored by eminent Godalming-based tech company ramsac, the competition was created to showcase the extensive skills and experience that the University of Surrey’s STEM postgraduate researchers can offer the Surrey business community.

It is the hope of Surrey Chambers of Commerce that the Surrey business community will tap into the highly valuable pool of talent that these students bring to our region and use their skills to support and enhance business and market opportunities.

Applicants submitted details about their transferable skills, attributes and experiences. The best were then chosen to present to a panel of judges from the business community.

Three finalists were chosen with the wining prize going to Michael Hodg-son

From left: Dr Nicola Rolfe, Dr Dawn Duke, Andy Willmott (Surrey Chambers of Commerce), Marion Allayioti (runner-up), Yousif Sadik (runner-up), Dr Elaine Hickmott, Michael Hodgson (competition winner) and Dan May (ramsac).

from the Department of Physics, who won a range of promotional opportunities

through the Surrey Chambers network and £250 prize money, donated by ramsac.

Consumer Protection – more change in the offing for businesses This year has seen extensive changes to the world of consumer law, which affects businesses not only in the South East but nationally. Ben Hay, dispute resolution specialist at Charles Russell Speechlys in Guildford, has some advice for Surrey businesses as there is more to come…

November

11 Tue

SMEs Pensions Auto Enrolment – Are You Ready? Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom. Members £20, non-members £40;

3pm

6pm

14 Fri

A Breakfast with Sue Grayling, RAC Club, Epsom. Members £20, nonmembers £30;

8am

10am

14 Fri

Badminton Networking Evening, Lightwater Leisure Centre, Lightwater.

Members £10, non-members £20;

6pm

8pm

18 Tue

Business Women in Surrey at Pennyhill Park, Pennyhill Park Hotel and Spa. Members £22, non-members £40;

3.30pm

5.30pm

20 Thu

Telephone Assassin Masterclass, Export House, Woking. Members £80, non-members £99;

8am

Noon

21 Fri

Understanding International Paperwork, Woking. Members £225, nonmembers £350;

9.30am

4pm

25 Tue

How leadership style impacts on culture and business success, Riverside Café, Staines. Members £10, non-members £20;

5.30pm

7.30pm

26 Wed

Chamber Connections Betchworth Breakfast, Hartsfield Manor, Betchworth. Members £10, non-members £20;

8am

9.30am

26 Wed

Why trade in China? Farnham Castle, Farnham. Members £10, nonmembers £20;

5pm

8pm

27 Thu

A Christmas Wish – Making a difference with your corporate social responsibility, Foxhills Resort & Spa, Ottershaw. Members FREE, nonmembers FREE.

5.30pm

7.30pm

To book, visit www.surrey-chambers.co.uk or call 01483 735540 (All prices are exclusive of VAT)

Farewell OFT Firstly it was goodbye to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

Sometimes labelled as toothless and slow to respond, many of the OFT’s consumer powers were gradually diminished and then transferred to the new Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

The OFT, together with the Competition Commission (another victim of a transfer of its powers to the CMA), were then both abolished.

The CMA went fully live on April 1 with the intention of ‘enforcing consumer protection legislation to tackle practices and market conditions that make it difficult for consumers to exercise choice’.

The CMA’s annual report 2014/2015 states it intends to achieve ‘a further step up in performance’ as a result of the changes made to its working practices. Only time will tell whether the CMA will have such an impact or whether it will fall victim to the same criticisms as the OFT. Legislation already introduced The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 have been replaced

by The Consumer Contracts

(Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.

October also saw the introduction of the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Regulations 2014, covering misleading and aggressive practices when dealing with consumers. Importantly, the Regulations: l Provide a new direct civil right of redress for consumers directly against a trader; l Cover misleading and aggressive demands for payment.

Consumer Rights Bill More changes are still in the offing with the Consumer Rights Bill currently working its way through Parliament, which is trying to reform UK consumer law and bring it up-to-date for the digital age.

The proposed changes relate to the remedies that can be used by consumers, unfair terms in consumer contracts and the enforcement powers for public enforcers.

South East businesses need to be aware of the changes around consumer remedies and the sale of goods.

In the case of goods, the Bill intends to introduce a tiered process regulating a consumer’s right to reject.

It also proposes further

Ben Hay.

rights around the supply of services and the supply of digital content.

The Bill is currently in the stages of being debated in Parliament and scrutinised by the House of Lords – the Department for Business Innovation and Skills is planning for it to come into effect

by October 2015.

Ben says: “Finally the law is coming right up-to-date in the area of consumer protection, and providing new powers for its enforcement.

“What changes will be made by Parliament to the Consumer Rights Bill remains to be seen but, whatever happens, Surrey and South East businesses should probably carefully consider these chan-ges and where they stand so they are ready for the new protections for consumers as soon as the new law applies.”

Be part of the network - find out how Surrey Chambers of Commerce membership can help your business at www.surrey-chambers.co.uk

November 2014

Investment watch

7

Keeping an eye on the markets

Autumn market volatility brings both anxiety and opportunity...

By Philip Scott

Director at SI Capital

Philip Scott of SI Capital.

This report was written by Philip Scott, director at SI Capital on 4/11/14 when the FTSE 100 was trading at 6480.

Investors have been tested over the past few weeks as wild swings in share prices have materialised.

It is uncanny how often this time of year brings about such challenging conditions.

Market participants have almost come to expect it, not that it makes the experience a huge amount of fun.

This time an interplay of numerous negative factors ultimately became too much for uptrending markets to endure.

A troubled Eurozone, mixed signals from China, hostility in the Middle East, sanctions against Russia, the prospect of interest rate rises in both the US and the UK (where questions have surfaced about growth rates) and, finally, Ebola fears all combined to give rise to swift 10% falls in indices.

A 25% fall in the price of oil since the summer and significant weakness in metal prices have also impacted stock prices in these sectors: global economic growth concerns and a strong dollar have given a double whammy to those

invested in these areas. More on this later.

Without wanting to demean the genuine concerns behind the recent falls in asset prices, my general advice has been to selectively accumulate shares throughout; certainly not to sell.

There are also numerous reasons for this. The valuation of equities remains highly attractive with income yields strong. Companies maintain strong balance sheets and are committed to increasing dividend payouts.

The global economy continues to move in the right direction with unemployment levels less of a concern and interest rate rises will be gradual and small when they finally come.

Once the market becomes comfortable that rate rises need not be negative, this will be a significant psychological positive for further gains.

Finally, Ebola (while serious) was probably not going to become a realistic threat to most parts of the world.

Thus I was confident that what we have recently witnessed was indeed a ‘correction’ in an ongoing bull market for shares.

Markets need to correct from time to time and we have had an extended period without such a situation. A sizeable dip was actually heavily predicted by some.

So a 10% fall has been rapidly reversed already in US markets with the Dow Jones now back again at all time highs! UK shares have also bounced back significantly and a short-term period of understandable anxiety looks indeed now to have been a time to have bought shares.

Experienced investors have noted that market dynamics over time often replicate themselves in terms of when would have been opportune times to deal.

Warren Buffett (probably one of the greatest investors of all time) has many legendary stock market adages and one in particular resonates now: “Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful”. In other words, look to be contrarian and go against the herd in search of opportunities when most are rushing for the exits.

A further contributing factor that has assisted the recent recovery in share prices has been a change in the market’s belief

as to when interest rate rises will actually come. UK rates will likely not move now until next autumn at the earliest. It might be earlier in the US. It is probably fair to say that risks to ongoing global growth have increased and, thus, imminent rate changes (predicted as recently as a month or so ago) will not present. Some would say the credibility of central banks and their guidance has come into question again.

Market Specific Comment The oil and gas sector is under significant pressure as it has emerged that Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest exporter, had slashed its contract price for its US customers as it battles to defend market share.

Brent crude oil is now down to $82.55 from $115 per barrel in June.

Shale oil producers in the US, who threaten OPEC’s dominance in supply (and hence price control) will now be struggling with profitability, and OPEC knows it.

Saudi Arabia is the leading member of OPEC, which has been losing market share to American shale oil producers.

Nigeria, for example, recently dropped out of the list of member countries that supply North America.

In addition, too much oil continues to be pumped by the 12 OPEC members relative to demand, which is further fuelling downside pricing pressure. The cartel controls about 30% of world’s oil supply and is under pressure to cut back production on November 27.

Russia is an obvious loser amid the current pricing rout; it pumps over 10 million barrels per day and will see impact to economic growth without doubt.

Contrarian stock picks in the sector are plentiful if one believes the current pressures and mind games will settle.

Shell, BP and BG in the blue chip space, have all come under recent pressure and, in the first two cases, over 5% secure dividend yields are on offer. BG Group has just given a robust trading statement and new chief executive Helge Lund arrives in March from Statoil. The stock, at £10, has technical support, significant assets and the risk reward ratio for capital growth looks favourable in my opinion.

Newly-released business register data reveals Surrey leads the way with high tech industry

By André Langlois

andre.langlois@trinitymirror.com Surrey’s leading position in the UK’s technology sector has been supported by new data from Companies House.

For the first time, figures from the business register revealed a snapshot of the composition of the private sector.

The country’s dominant industry is now in professional, scientific and technical activities, with 17.3% of businesses working in these fields.

In Surrey, the proportion is even higher, with 20.6% of companies in this category, which includes businesses such as legal and accounting services as well as engineering and research companies.

The county is also strong in information and communication – 12.3% of companies operate in that area against a national average of 9.8%.

Kathy Slack, executive director of the local enterprise partnership Enterprise M3, said that the science and technology businesses based in Surrey are of vital importance to the area’s economy.

“In our Strategic Economic Plan, published early this year,

Dr Malcolm Parry OBE.

we developed the concept of the Enterprise M3 area being a ‘sci-tech’ corridor, an economic asset of national importance capable of leading the world in areas such as aerospace and space, digital media, 5G, cyber security and pharmaceuticals,” she said.

“Enterprise M3 is working with government, as well as regional and local partners, to ensure that this area has the infrastructure, skills and investment needed to allow Surrey’s key businesses, including those in the science and technology sectors, to grow and prosper.”

One of the drivers of the

high tech industry in the last few decades has been Surrey Research Park, which was developed by the University of Surrey and is home to more than 110 companies.

The research park’s director, Dr Malcolm Parry OBE, said one priority now is new housing so workers can afford to live in the county.

“Guildford is an area of innovation, with companies like Surrey Satellite, and 371 companies have come on to the park as start-ups and many have grown, and companies have come through incubators,” he said. “The research park has been supporting these companies and in any area of innovation you need young people to be living and working nearby.

You don’t need them driving through the green belt.”

Guildford is the biggest technology employer in the county and the number of jobs in the sector rose from 5,184 in 1999, to 9,234 in 2008.

“I think high tech industry is where the economy is going to go because we no longer mine anything from the sea or manufacture anything,” added Mr Parry. “We are in a knowl-

Surrey Satellite Technology is one of the high tech companies leading the way in the county and is based at Surrey Research Park, which boasts hosting 371 businesses.

edge-driven economy whether we like it or not.”

Companies House released the figures following an agreement, signed this summer, to

make data more easily accessible. It revealed that one-infive businesses either failed or declined to declare what their main activities were.

The third area where Surrey was revealed to lead the country was in the number of companies that are households registered as employers,

including companies involved in domestic personnel or property management – 4.7% of Surrey companies compared to a 2.6% UK average.

8

November 2014

Business@Brooklands takes charge of national awards Mercedes-Benz World will play host to a new national awards ceremony next year.

Entries for the National CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Awards 2015 are open, celebrating the commitment by business to act responsibly and give back to society. The scheme has been launched by Business@Brooklands to reward business excellence and innovation in sustainability, charity, community development, employee welfare, education and the environment.

Business@Brooklands is a business community initiative designed to encourage and foster business relationships within the Brooklands Business Park, in Weybridge.

A diverse team of judges, supporters and contributors has been lined up to join the Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond MP at the inaugural awards and showcase on March 6.

NatWest, Carillion and Global Action Plan are among the main contributors to the awards and the judging team responsible for selecting the winners includes Camila Batmanghelidjh CBE, founder of Kids Company; Tony Juniper, environmentalist and writer; James Cameron, chairman of climate change capital; and Bruce Poon Tip, philanthropist and social innovator.

Mr Hammond has supported the organisers of Business@Brooklands since its launch in 2011. He said: “Having witnessed the success of Business@Brooklands and its CSR Forum operating within the local area, I

Representatives from Guildford’s Halow Project and Chelsea Building Society celebrate the donation of £100 to the charity.

couldn’t think of a better organisation to be the driving force behind the creation of a platform to recognise CSR on a national level.

“The recognition such an award will bring will act as a spur to others keen to promote CSR initiatives.”

David Picton, Carillion’s chief sustainability officer, said: “Authentic corporate social responsibility is essential to business, not just a nice thing to have, creating positive legacies for communities and environments as well as building public trust in sustainable businesses.

“Integrated, effective sustainability is about making tomorrow a better place, so we’re delighted to support the National CSR Awards and celebrate outstanding examples of responsible business” The awards has opened its application process, inviting organisations to enter their most recent projects promoting and fostering social responsibility initiatives. If an organisation has a project or initiative for which they would like to be recognised, they can apply by visiting www.nationalCSRawards.co.uk.

There are three business sectors for each category – SME, large business and public sector/not-for-profit.

The award categories are excellence in CSR; environmental leadership; best community development project; best education project; innovation for workplace practices; best carbon footprinting and offsetting; and outstanding individual leadership.

The CSR initiative or project

Members of Society boost Halow funds

Camila Batmanghelidjh will be one of the judges for the National CSR Awards.

entered must have taken place between 2012 and 2014.

Business@Brooklands was established by Karen Sutton, director of Limelight Design & Marketing. She saw the potential for local businesses to

forge strong connections, source products and services locally, and react and respond with a single voice to social, political and environmental issues impacting Brooklands Business Park.

Annual Small Change, Big Difference scheme allows Chelsea Building Society to make a vital difference

By Jennifer Morris

jennifer.morris@trinitymirror.com GUILDFORD’S branch of the Chelsea Building Society has donated £100 to a charity that helps young people.

The Chelsea, in High Street, joined other branches across the country to celebrate 150 years of the company by calling on people to nominate charities to receive the cash.

The Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation marked the occasion by giving away £150,000 as part of its annual Make a Difference

Week, and the Halow Project in Guildford has received a share. Sam Morgan, manager at the Guildford branch, said: “Our annual campaign is always very popular but this year we’ve been able to support more charities than ever before.

“I’m delighted that a worthwhile cause in our area was part of the hundreds of local charities the Society is supporting, and I’m sure the money will be used to make a positive difference in our community.”

The Small Change, Big

Difference scheme enables members of the building society to donate small sums from the annual interest they receive on their savings and mortgage accounts each year.

The Halow Project works hard to support young people with learning disabilities to have the same life choices and chances as any other young person.

The charity runs community-based social activities and learning programmes and offers one-to-one personalised support, among other schemes.

TWM Solicitors has agreed a two-year sponsorship deal with the Surrey Half Marathon, which next year takes place on March 8.

TWM sets the pace with half marathon support Next year’s Surrey Half Marathon is sure to be in safe hands after a firm of solicitors was announced as its latest sponsor.

TWM, which has offices in Guildford, Cranleigh and Leatherhead, will be an official partner on a two-year sponsorship deal. The event will take place on March 8 next year with 6,500 runners expected to take part.

Toby Jenkins, event organiser, said: “TWM Solicitors is an excellent partner for the event. It is a well respected law firm and has been advising people and businesses in Surrey for generations.

“TWM picked up that the feedback from this year’s inaugural race was very positive and wanted to get involved.

“With their support, and the experience of this year un-

der our belts, we are confident we can deliver an even better event on March 8.”

The sponsorship is part of TWM’s ongoing strategy of supporting community projects in the county.

Matthew Truelove, the firm’s managing partner, said: “Becoming a sponsor of the Surrey Half Marathon is important for us on a number of levels.

“Obviously the event itself has great reach and profile, which is attractive on a commercial level.

“It also provides our staff, some of whom are runners already, and others who are starting to run, with a focus for their training.

“Most importantly, the financial benefits to local charities from fundraising are extremely valuable.”